Not sure if this has been asked before, but I work in manufacturing and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
16 upvotes
22 Replies
Paisley Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
I work in tech here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Aaron M.
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Natalie Reed
This.
33 upvotes
Luke Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
happy_lucy20
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 30, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
24 upvotes
Adrian Moore
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Nora Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
22 upvotes
Delilah R.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Cora N.
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
Samuel Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Sebastian Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Isaiah Lewis
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Charlotte Moore
same here
9 upvotes
Donald R.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Emily W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Declan Nelson
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
8 upvotes
Emma Morris
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The outdoor recreation is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Megan H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
mesa_valentina
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Eli Lewis
Moved here from Baltimore about 5 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Abigail F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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