Curious what people think. My partner and I are You can expect to pay around $1,053 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
13 upvotes
28 Replies
Hudson Brooks
couldn't agree more
39 upvotes
Hunter Campbell
+1
39 upvotes
Evan D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Charlotte C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 11 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Eastside 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Aubrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 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 Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Bella Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Carson M.
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Eleanor R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Leo Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Cora W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
23 upvotes
Isla Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. East schools are hit or miss. 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. Can feel isolated. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Landon King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
20 upvotes
Elijah Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 46, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
17 upvotes
Grace
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Connor Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Miami it's solid.
15 upvotes
Adrian Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Eli Castillo
Moved here from LA about 8 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Emilia Gonzalez
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Piper Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is solid in most areas.
10 upvotes
Lily Edwards
accurate
9 upvotes
Clara Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Uptown 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Ian Sanchez
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Jose
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Savannah Kim
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Cedar Grove area are average. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Hazel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Benjamin Chavez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Pittsburgh it's hit or miss.
1 upvotes
Aubrey Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 28, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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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