Hey everyone, Been living here since 2015. Median household income is $71,854, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 25,594, Moses Lake is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
5 upvotes
30 Replies
Jonathan K.
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Jaxon Turner
hard disagree but ok
39 upvotes
Kaylee Jones
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Henry Bailey
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Dominic Flores
I'm a project manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Camila G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 6 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality 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 better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability 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.
34 upvotes
miamilocal2020
I'm a real estate agent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
cool_noah73
I've lived in Oak Park for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Michael
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Eva Carter
I've lived in Uptown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Avery C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Vivian Ross
haha yep pretty much
29 upvotes
Henry Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Cameron Moore
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Debra M.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Matthew Morales
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
18 upvotes
Charlotte Morales
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Aurora Nguyen
Used to live on the North side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
14 upvotes
Piper P.
literally same
11 upvotes
Emmett A.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
11 upvotes
Harper Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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 solid - we have desert landscapes 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 pretty good. 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. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Kennedy E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Everly Walker
Bought a house here in 2019 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
10 upvotes
Kennedy Ramirez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Janice R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Nova Thompson
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Angela T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Jace Clark
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
3 upvotes
Oliver Ortiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes
Jackson Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.