Born and raised here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 110K people. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is about average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development.
39 upvotes
7 Replies
Kai Myers
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Waylon Flores
This.
29 upvotes
Silas W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
29 upvotes
Charlotte Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Maverick Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Eastside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
8 upvotes
Nathan A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Gabriella B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
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