Curious what people think. I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 9.7%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 44,015 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Should I be concerned? The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
27 upvotes
15 Replies
Weston Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Delilah B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 24, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
30 upvotes
Miles Ramos
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
nolan_mind
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Scarlett Morales
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Ariana K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Betty G.
same here
13 upvotes
Andrew Harris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) 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. walkability 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.
12 upvotes
Kevin M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
12 upvotes
Lauren E.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
10 upvotes
Gabriel Allen
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor recreation is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Matthew Allen
I'm a social worker and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Anna Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Eastside schools are challenging. 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. Property taxes are high. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Allison Lee
underrated comment
0 upvotes
Brooklyn L.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
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