Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and It's a a smaller city city with about 79,349 people. Rent is about $1,791/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
24 upvotes
13 Replies
Ryan Young
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Reagan Richardson
this is the way
32 upvotes
Isla Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - 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 weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
26 upvotes
Kinsley Patel
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
Luke
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Caleb Smith
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
Willow Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Atlanta about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Ryan Edwards
honestly same experience here
21 upvotes
Delilah Price
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Emilia J.
literally same
19 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Jameson Reed
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Nova Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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