Thinking about relocating to Phoenix from St. Louis

Elijah Ortiz Apr 10, 2026

Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.

39 upvotes

Brielle Mar 27, 2026

yep

38 upvotes

Xavier W. Apr 6, 2026

I've lived in Eastside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- The school system scene is improving

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..

38 upvotes

Bella Clark Apr 4, 2026

I've lived in Sunset for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..

36 upvotes

Michael Sanders Mar 29, 2026

From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.

25 upvotes

Asher R. Mar 29, 2026

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.

15 upvotes

John Evans Apr 3, 2026

If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is pretty good in most areas.

14 upvotes

Ella Bennett Mar 28, 2026

Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.

Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..

11 upvotes

Camila Perez Apr 10, 2026

accurate

5 upvotes

Cooper Rodriguez Apr 10, 2026

Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.

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.

5 upvotes

Adam F. Mar 28, 2026

100%

3 upvotes