Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Valentina R.
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Bryan E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Frank M.
accurate
32 upvotes
Robert Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
31 upvotes
Aiden R.
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Ruth S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Nolan Torres
hard disagree but ok
28 upvotes
Skylar Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Nolan Mitchell
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
Alice H.
accurate
19 upvotes
Adrian
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Wyatt Johnson
Moved here from Houston about 5 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to walkability but No regrets on my end..
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