OK so I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $98,421, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $269,900 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes
24 Replies
Jack C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Westside schools are decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Nolan G.
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, No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Everett G.
preach
37 upvotes
Emily B.
good to know, thanks
37 upvotes
Maverick F.
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Sadie Murphy
seconding this
36 upvotes
Nevaeh Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Mackenzie Lopez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Linda R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
24 upvotes
Andrew Reyes
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
raleighmama2021
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
19 upvotes
James Moore
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Melanie R.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much growing but now it's tough.
15 upvotes
Violet H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Isaiah Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Leo H.
I'm a electrician and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Scarlett
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
12 upvotes
Aiden M.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
phoenix_ruby
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
10 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
lol so true
10 upvotes
Alice Adams
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Colton T.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Maple Ridge area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Ian Miller
I'm a teacher and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Avery Chavez
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
All Countries
