Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
30 upvotes
20 Replies
Michael
+1
37 upvotes
Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Colton
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Stella Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
32 upvotes
Jack T.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Aiden
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much stable but now it's average.
32 upvotes
Aaron Ward
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Maverick Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
27 upvotes
dominic_fan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Brooklyn Johnson
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
24 upvotes
Joseph Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 26, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Sophia R.
exactly what I was thinking
18 upvotes
Carter Wilson
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
Grayson White
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
Angel K.
I work in construction here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is average. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
sf_nicholas
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Allison M.
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
Nora Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Portland about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Lawrence G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
All Countries
