Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 19,859 people. Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Does this match your experience? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
3 Replies
Maya Diaz
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's decent.
35 upvotes
Luke King
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Nathan Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. average 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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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