Hey everyone, Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $278,600 on average. Median household income is $65,757, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Othello sits at 83.5 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What are your go-to spots? The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
11 upvotes
10 Replies
Ruby Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 42, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
34 upvotes
Nathan W.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. the quality of life is solid.
24 upvotes
Jose Ross
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
Michael W.
This.
21 upvotes
Luca Gutierrez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Samuel Smith
+1
20 upvotes
Ruby Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Emilia W.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Jaxon Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
6 upvotes
Naomi R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
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