Been meaning to ask this. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a smaller city city with about 28,015 people. Median household income is $106,934, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
30 upvotes
23 Replies
Jacob B.
I'm a lawyer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Serenity J.
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Evan Foster
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Michael R.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Alexander Bailey
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
indygirl2023
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Boston it's solid.
36 upvotes
Katherine B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
29 upvotes
mesafan2024
This.
24 upvotes
Declan W.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
24 upvotes
Natalie Phillips
great question, following
24 upvotes
Landon
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Maverick Cooper
this is the way
21 upvotes
Timothy A.
it depends on the neighborhood
20 upvotes
Everett R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Leo Cook
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
hudson_soul
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Lucy Cruz
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Santiago N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Dylan M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 5 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Pine Hills 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Everly Torres
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 Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests 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 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Isaac Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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