Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 8.7%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $142,917, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $2,279 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I wrong here? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. 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. The suburbs are where most families end up.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Aaron Rivera
seconding this
40 upvotes
Natalie T.
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Santiago Foster
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Audrey Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Madelyn Cox
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Isaac Jimenez
I'm a accountant and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Gabriel Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are better than expected. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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