Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. Average temperature is around 59°F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $617,800, which is pretty steep. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do?
45 upvotes
43 Replies
Oliver C.
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Allison M.
great question, following
39 upvotes
Ezekiel Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Jameson N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Adrian Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in South and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
35 upvotes
Scarlett G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Tampa 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 Highland. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
James P.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Kayla C.
interesting, hadn't considered that
34 upvotes
Isabella Richardson
I work in government here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Angel H.
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Charlotte Gomez
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Nathan Gutierrez
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Ezra R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 7 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - 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. East 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Elizabeth Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Adeline R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Theresa N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
28 upvotes
Wyatt F.
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
28 upvotes
Olivia L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
24 upvotes
Kinsley Reed
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
Julian
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
Ian Ruiz
Moved here from Nashville about 6 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cultural scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Sofia T.
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 Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Emma Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta 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 pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Genesis Long
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Austin it's tough.
17 upvotes
Clara
honestly same experience here
16 upvotes
Lydia Richardson
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
15 upvotes
Madeline Ortiz
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Camila Wright
following this thread
14 upvotes
Serenity Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are average. 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. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Grace
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Nicholas Thomas
yep
13 upvotes
Silas G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Austin Williams
The food scene here is average. Tons of great seafood places. the quality of life is solid.
11 upvotes
Jameson
it depends on the neighborhood
10 upvotes
Walter R.
I've lived in Downtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Scarlett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Isaiah Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. The Heights 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. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
eva_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Xavier Allen
100%
3 upvotes
Mia
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
3 upvotes
Weston
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
2 upvotes
Joshua J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Everett Walker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Salt Lake City it's hit or miss.
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