Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $96,746, which feels pretty solid for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Would love some local perspective. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
atl_grace
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Downtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Carson Baker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Roman M.
I've lived in East for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Emma Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Miles M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
19 upvotes
Leo Clark
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great seafood places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Sofia Reyes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Ruby Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Piper Walker
Saving this thread
4 upvotes
Dylan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Allison
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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