Median household income is $79,683, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,721/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $771,800, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
Madelyn Hill
spot on
36 upvotes
nycmind2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
31 upvotes
sfwalker2021
this is the way
25 upvotes
Isaac Jimenez
Saving this thread
22 upvotes
Levi Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
14 upvotes
lake_david50
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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