First post here. I've been here for 19 years and Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Any advice would be great. Cheers. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
0 upvotes
8 Replies
Sarah Moore
Moved here from Dallas about 5 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Abigail B.
exactly what I was thinking
37 upvotes
Grayson W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Melanie Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Hazel Long
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Dominic H.
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Julia Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Lillian Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
All Countries
