Poverty rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 57--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
27 upvotes
20 Replies
Samuel K.
seconding this
40 upvotes
Gabriel Lopez
This.
39 upvotes
Kenneth H.
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
Sofia
seconding this
38 upvotes
Landon R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
38 upvotes
charlotte_jace
This.
37 upvotes
Andrew
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Aaliyah Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (South) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
34 upvotes
Aurora Parker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Robert Walker
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Austin Patel
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
25 upvotes
mateo_lover
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Cooper Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 57, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
22 upvotes
Chloe P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
18 upvotes
Rylee Moore
Saving this thread
15 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Emmett Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Ralph T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
John B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Debra M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Nashville about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
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