Curious what people think. I'm retired and Property taxes are high but you get good services. Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
6 upvotes
26 Replies
Roman F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Eva
Moved here from Miami about 4 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to traffic but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
this is the way
38 upvotes
Roman L.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Cameron Kim
I've lived in West for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Aubrey R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Hazel Foster
I'm a HR manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is average and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Gabriel Anderson
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Weston Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
miami_cameron
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Carter Sanders
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Sarah Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco 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 Midtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Levi Thompson
Used to live on the West side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
23 upvotes
Nolan Gonzalez
I've lived in North for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Kayden
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
jaxmama2024
facts
17 upvotes
Hazel Cooper
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Portland it's hit or miss.
14 upvotes
ella_lover
exactly what I was thinking
10 upvotes
Nevaeh Sanders
Moved here from LA about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Emily Murphy
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
denverpapa2020
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Justin B.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Angel Mitchell
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Isabella Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from New York for family. 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 down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Nora Young
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
3 upvotes
Isaac Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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