OK so The median home value here is around $468,800, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $84,402, which feels pretty solid for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Melanie Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Owen Phillips
I've lived in Downtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Greyson Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
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 affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Connor H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Minneapolis it's underrated.
35 upvotes
Emily
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Sarah Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
30 upvotes
Austin Lee
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
tucson_sofia
Moved here from Seattle about 7 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Roman M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
17 upvotes
Ian Lee
spot on
13 upvotes
Amelia Allen
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Cooper Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Santiago Myers
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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