Alright, Median household income is $58,441, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 55--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $243,700, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $1,019 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Has anyone dealt with this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
25 Replies
Linda P.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Maverick Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Jayden Parker
great question, following
34 upvotes
Ethan Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
atl_natalie
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Audrey Phillips
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Zoey Reyes
accurate
32 upvotes
Susan D.
This.
30 upvotes
Ethan
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
28 upvotes
Lucas King
Moved here from Austin about 3 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to food scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Anna Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Everett W.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great seafood places. the quality of life is solid.
24 upvotes
Carolyn H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 27, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
24 upvotes
Quinn Torres
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Diego it's underrated.
23 upvotes
Miles Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. excellent 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
22 upvotes
Jacob M.
bump
21 upvotes
Samuel Y.
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Charlotte Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
thomas_heart
underrated comment
14 upvotes
William James
thanks for sharing
14 upvotes
Betty M.
following this thread
8 upvotes
Ava
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
Aaron P.
this is the way
6 upvotes
Jonathan Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
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