Hello, The median home value here is around $110,300, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 10.2%, which is concerning. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Is this normal for Mayag--ez zona urbana? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
19 upvotes
26 Replies
Luna Ruiz
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Evan Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Minneapolis it's better than expected.
39 upvotes
Thomas Hughes
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Peyton Bailey
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Midtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Michael Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 32, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
23 upvotes
Theodore G.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
22 upvotes
Grace Gutierrez
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Aurora
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Chloe Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East 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 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. East schools are decent. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Isla
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
emilia_life
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Addison G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Ava Robinson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Sophie White
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Jacob C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
11 upvotes
Thomas C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Aubrey C.
great question, following
9 upvotes
Nova Torres
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
7 upvotes
Harper S.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
henry_dude
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Cameron D.
underrated comment
4 upvotes
Miles Watson
facts
3 upvotes
Harold P.
same here
3 upvotes
Victoria K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Camila K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
xavier_kid
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are tough. Kids love it here.
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