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Eliana Morales
jobs
Is Mount Vernon good for remote workers?
Homes are going for about $429,300 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
25 Replies
Santiago P.
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Jack Mendoza
I've lived in The Heights for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The nightlife scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The nightlife scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Claire Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston 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 Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Daniel Clark
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Emma G.
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Addison Smith
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Peyton Mitchell
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is pretty good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Axel A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Leonardo M.
+1
28 upvotes
Autumn P.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
27 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is solid in most areas.
23 upvotes
kcfan2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Eliana M.
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 2 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches 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 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches 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 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Stephanie R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
15 upvotes
Grace Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. tough 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. tough 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
14 upvotes
tulsawalker2025
yep
14 upvotes
Maverick Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
12 upvotes
Dominic Anderson
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
native_evan65
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Maverick M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable 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 hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable 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 hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Mateo Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Highland and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Highland and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
6 upvotes
Ariana E.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's average.
6 upvotes
Vivian L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
melanie_walker
following this thread
5 upvotes
Ariana Ward
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes