Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 6.0%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $267,900 on average. Household incomes average around $82,493 in Oak Lawn. Rent is about $1,310/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
21 upvotes
25 Replies
Natalie Evans
I've lived in East for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
river_zoe29
underrated comment
33 upvotes
Axel James
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Connor Rivera
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Brielle Allen
same here
28 upvotes
Elena Sanchez
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The weather is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Mackenzie James
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Aria Morales
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
22 upvotes
Ellie Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Julian Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
James L.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Melanie Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 10 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 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:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Uptown 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Mackenzie W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Roman H.
Totally agree!
18 upvotes
Paisley
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Caleb Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. average 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
13 upvotes
Matthew Ruiz
seconding this
12 upvotes
Aiden Long
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Fairview area are solid. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Jordan Mitchell
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Southern places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
10 upvotes
denverfan2025
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Camila Smith
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
7 upvotes
William Foster
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Cooper Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
cincydude2025
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
1 upvotes
Easton Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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