Hello, Just moved here 2 months ago and Poverty rate is 5.7%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $271,000, which seems about average. Median household income is $92,490, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What would you do? TIA! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
25 upvotes
22 Replies
Wyatt Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
40 upvotes
Naomi R.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
37 upvotes
Easton Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Hazel Gray
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Jace W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Kayden Sanders
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to LA it's improving.
24 upvotes
Hailey Howard
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
milwaukee_nevaeh
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Bryan C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston 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 improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
oliver_soul
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Luna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 14 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Kimberly G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Dallas about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Cooper Baker
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
13 upvotes
Scarlett Reed
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Midtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Emmett Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 55, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
10 upvotes
portlandliving2021
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is solid in most areas.
10 upvotes
Kennedy
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Eli D.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Ellie Rogers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
4 upvotes
Isaiah Reed
I work in tech here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Matthew Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Ian Baker
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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