Hey, We have two kids and You can expect to pay around $2,334 for rent here. Median household income is $155,321, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
22 Replies
happy_eliana31
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. education 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes 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 decent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Angel R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Anna R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Julia Mendoza
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
36 upvotes
Walter C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
35 upvotes
bostonmama2026
I've lived in Sunset for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Steven A.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Everett G.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Henry Murphy
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
Isaiah Rogers
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Colton Young
I work in hospitality here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Hailey
I'm a nurse and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Hannah T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Ruby Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Luna
same here
16 upvotes
sd_austin
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Minneapolis it's pretty good.
15 upvotes
Rylee P.
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Michael Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 55, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
11 upvotes
Bobby R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
6 upvotes
Angel
Moved here from Dallas about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Sofia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Eleanor Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 39, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Diverse dining options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
All Countries
