Alright, Median household income is $93,902, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,235 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What would you do? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Emma Ross
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
37 upvotes
Ruby Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Henry Cooper
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
David Alvarez
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Emmett Morales
same here
27 upvotes
oaklandfan2024
this is the way
27 upvotes
Bella Rogers
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The healthcare is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Jack Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Brooklyn
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Victoria Garcia
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
21 upvotes
Ellie C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
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