Hey folks, Born and raised here. Median household income is $125,117, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,893/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to.
6 upvotes
25 Replies
raised_benjamin7
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
40 upvotes
robert_girl
I've lived in Westside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Landon Lewis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Christopher G.
Moved here from San Diego about 1 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Nova T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Aaron M.
spot on
27 upvotes
Kinsley Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Dallas about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Avery Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Eli Rogers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Ariana Adams
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Oliver
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Naomi Morris
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
20 upvotes
phoenixgirl2020
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Camila S.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Sunset area are solid. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
John W.
wish I knew this sooner
14 upvotes
Jose Kelly
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
true_evan13
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much established but now it's excellent.
11 upvotes
Madeline Watson
I'm a teacher and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
hudson_runner
I work in manufacturing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Eleanor G.
This.
7 upvotes
Henry S.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. I love the pace of life here.
4 upvotes
William
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is decent in most areas.
4 upvotes
Lucy Torres
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Anna Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
0 upvotes
Arianna Williams
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.