Hello, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 7.6%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
10 Replies
Victoria Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 32, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Sunset and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
40 upvotes
Aiden S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Seattle it's excellent.
39 upvotes
Austin Ruiz
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The traffic is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Nova
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 24, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
17 upvotes
raleigh_jeremiah
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Julia Lee
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Nicholas Cooper
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
columbus_eleanor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Christian Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Jacob Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. The Heights schools are surprisingly 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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