Curious what people think. The median home value here is around $155,700, which is actually reasonable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Would love some local perspective. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Patricia N.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
40 upvotes
Victoria P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Olivia A.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Julian Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 26, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Dylan Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 28, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
20 upvotes
Zoe W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
20 upvotes
Hannah Torres
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
Nova Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Scarlett Rivera
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
Brooklyn
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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