Been meaning to ask this. I'm single, late 40s, and The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
11 upvotes
22 Replies
jaxon_rider
100%
31 upvotes
Ella Cruz
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Noah Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Santiago
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Nicholas T.
I'm a teacher and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Allison Clark
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
Audrey G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Denver about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Isaac White
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Parker Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 31, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
18 upvotes
Emilia Smith
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The traffic is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Logan
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Quinn A.
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Benjamin Sanchez
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
Mateo Castillo
Came here for weather and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cultural scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Joseph S.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
9 upvotes
William Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 39, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
8 upvotes
Vivian
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Elena
Moved here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Matthew C.
great question, following
3 upvotes
Jace Brooks
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
2 upvotes
Addison Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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