OK so You can expect to pay around $1,738 for rent here. Homes are going for about $328,700 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What are your go-to spots?
15 upvotes
29 Replies
Jack Lewis
I've lived in South for about 3 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 San Francisco, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
quinn_life
honestly same experience here
36 upvotes
Owen Edwards
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Nora Martinez
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The housing market is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
liam_guy
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
33 upvotes
Adeline S.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Savannah
facts
33 upvotes
Adrian R.
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Greyson Castillo
bump
32 upvotes
Adrian Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
32 upvotes
Ella Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Grace T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
miamiheart2020
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Ian Morris
underrated comment
29 upvotes
Hailey Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Roman Collins
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Olivia Lee
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Silas T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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
Scarlett P.
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Caleb Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 55, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
7 upvotes
Joseph Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 13 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are average. 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. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Nicholas M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from LA 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 Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Kennedy James
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Chloe Ramirez
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
2 upvotes
Grace Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Mason B.
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
Eli Morris
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
0 upvotes
Sophie Stewart
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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