Hi all, I'm retired and The median home value here is around $574,900, which is pretty steep. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Roger S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
39 upvotes
colton_walker
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. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Christian M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Houston it's pretty good.
33 upvotes
Aria Robinson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is excellent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Jonathan B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 54, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Sunset and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
22 upvotes
Landon Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (South) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
22 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Luna Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Westside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
20 upvotes
Adam Morgan
literally same
20 upvotes
Grace Anderson
following this thread
18 upvotes
Violet Moore
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..
17 upvotes
vegas_chloe
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
Stella Hughes
accurate
4 upvotes
Andrew W.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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