OK so Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
19 upvotes
13 Replies
jace_mind
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 37, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
40 upvotes
Lori S.
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Deborah H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Abigail Cook
I've lived in Eastside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Julia Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Hunter Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
Harper Mendoza
+1
26 upvotes
Michael J.
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Bennett R.
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Genesis Flores
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Madeline P.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Everett
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The pet-friendliness is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
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