Random thought, I'm a 24-year-old firefighter and It's a a smaller city city with about 41,305 people. You can expect to pay around $1,853 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do?
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Raymond M.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Italian places. it exceeded my expectations.
37 upvotes
mia_local
Used to live on the South side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
33 upvotes
Isabelle Lewis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is tough in most areas.
32 upvotes
jayden_dude
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Natalie Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 52, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
15 upvotes
Jackson Adams
+1
10 upvotes
Aiden Myers
following this thread
7 upvotes
Levi Rogers
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
Sarah Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
