Hi all, I'm retired and Median household income is $146,206, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 8,322 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
William Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 49, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
38 upvotes
Christian K.
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Santiago Howard
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
34 upvotes
Hannah Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Nova James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
31 upvotes
Maya Thomas
exactly what I was thinking
27 upvotes
Jacob
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Miami, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
26 upvotes
Eli Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
23 upvotes
Alexa J.
lol so true
17 upvotes
Emma C.
seconding this
15 upvotes
lagirl2025
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
adeline_guy
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
All Countries
