Median household income is $71,373, which feels about average for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
23 upvotes
11 Replies
Oliver Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 46, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
36 upvotes
Ruby Harris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
35 upvotes
Isabelle Bennett
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
orlandodude2024
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Grace Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Parker S.
following this thread
21 upvotes
Greyson W.
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Amelia Perez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Salt Lake City it's pretty good.
14 upvotes
Leah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
12 upvotes
Sarah Lewis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Wesley Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
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