Random thought, I've been here for 20 years and Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,733 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
29 upvotes
7 Replies
Stella R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 44, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
32 upvotes
benjamin_girl
I work in retail here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Adrian Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Connor P.
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Henry Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Wyatt Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
2 upvotes
Adrian R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Dallas about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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