Not sure if this has been asked before, but We have two kids and Rent is about $954/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $56,558 in Lewiston. Median household income is $56,558, which feels about average for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
18 upvotes
21 Replies
Harper Long
I work in legal here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Luna
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
bostonwalker2022
+1
36 upvotes
scarlett_kid
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Minneapolis it's challenging.
35 upvotes
desert_emma37
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
David M.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
wish I knew this sooner
26 upvotes
Ashley A.
spot on
26 upvotes
Claire M.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Jace Ramirez
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Scott C.
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Isabelle
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
16 upvotes
Hailey E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Robert E.
I've lived in Uptown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Aaliyah
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
9 upvotes
Alexa C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Seattle about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Ellie Roberts
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Sarah Cook
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The dating scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Ethan Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Mason Rivera
I'm a electrician and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
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