Longtime lurker here, Homes are going for about $266,900 on average. Rent is about $1,712/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. Poverty rate is 10.7%, which is around average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
30 Replies
Connor J.
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Madelyn Anderson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Zoe Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Stella Adams
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Dylan Gutierrez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Ellie Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Lucy Alvarez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are excellent. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Brooklyn Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Bobby R.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great seafood places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
25 upvotes
Brielle Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Savannah M.
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Matthew Martinez
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Levi Reyes
great question, following
22 upvotes
Charles G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 36, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
22 upvotes
Sophie Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Violet Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Bella Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
17 upvotes
Alice B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
14 upvotes
Mackenzie
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Clara R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Miles Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Violet F.
this is the way
12 upvotes
Margaret R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
David Foster
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
6 upvotes
Olivia
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
5 upvotes
Jameson M.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
3 upvotes
Katherine Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
Abigail Harris
accurate
1 upvotes
Carter Diaz
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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