Hello, Been living here since 2009. Median household income is $72,845, which feels about average for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I wrong here? Thanks for reading. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Kinsley Reed
Moved here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Josiah Castillo
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's average.
39 upvotes
Allison Brown
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
seconding this
36 upvotes
Mary N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Ella
Bought a house here in 2018 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Clara
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Nathan Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Sunset and West, 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. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
21 upvotes
detroit_andrew
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Chloe G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Wesley White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from San Francisco about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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