Longtime lurker here, I've been here for 15 years and The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
1 upvotes
30 Replies
Scarlett Phillips
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
Greyson Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
dallas_colton
big facts right here
36 upvotes
Connor Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 55, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. better than expected 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
35 upvotes
Kennedy C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Hazel Ortiz
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Ezra Campbell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Carter M.
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Sophia Gray
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Mackenzie
literally same
27 upvotes
Silas C.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Mackenzie Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
25 upvotes
Paisley
lol so true
21 upvotes
native_adeline27
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Cora Campbell
+1
18 upvotes
Sophie Rivera
This.
17 upvotes
Julian Lewis
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
16 upvotes
Olivia Kim
facts
12 upvotes
Violet J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 8 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
12 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
I've lived in The Heights for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
jaxgirl2023
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Jaxon Lee
Moved here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to walkability but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Silas Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 13 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails 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 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. Limited public transit options. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Jackson Lopez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Emily W.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Ian
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
3 upvotes
John Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Santiago Martin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Carson Rogers
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
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