First post here. Born and raised here. Median household income is $74,955, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $660,700, which is pretty steep. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
21 upvotes
13 Replies
Ezekiel
same here
40 upvotes
Angel Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Lucy Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Quinn Gutierrez
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
27 upvotes
Maya Morris
I'm a accountant and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Ellie Howard
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Daniel L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Violet Hall
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Indian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
11 upvotes
Zoe Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
William R.
I work in government here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
nolan_vibes
lol so true
3 upvotes
Hunter G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
