I'm a 40-year-old writer and Poverty rate is 14.8%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
18 upvotes
13 Replies
local_rylee40
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Logan M.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
40 upvotes
Austin Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. decent 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
37 upvotes
Andrew Watson
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Eastside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
31 upvotes
Dominic
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Owen G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 5 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Anna Brooks
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Alexander S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Wesley White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
11 upvotes
Kinsley
as a local I can confirm
7 upvotes
Nolan Alvarez
this is the way
3 upvotes
Roman Hall
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
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