Hey, I've been here for 14 years and It's a a smaller city city with about 57,152 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I overthinking this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
14 upvotes
10 Replies
Aurora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from LA about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Ella F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Joshua Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
31 upvotes
Dylan Gutierrez
+1
25 upvotes
Hannah B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Amelia Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. tough 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
14 upvotes
Quinn Rodriguez
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Greyson
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes
Elijah Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 26, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
6 upvotes
emilia_life
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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