Random thought, The median home value here is around $211,800, which is actually reasonable. Would love some local perspective. Thanks!
28 upvotes
15 Replies
Olivia Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
38 upvotes
Abigail Richardson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Sophia James
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Emilia W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Jace Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
portland_cooper
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Isla
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
25 upvotes
Cora B.
nah I disagree
22 upvotes
Angel Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Uptown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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
Adam Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Julia W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Parker L.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Korean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Lydia
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Valentina Bailey
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
6 upvotes
Luna White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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