Hey, We're a young couple and The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks! The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Eleanor Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 47, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
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. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
philly_declan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
37 upvotes
Claire Carter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Ruth C.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Benjamin
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Olivia Thompson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Peyton Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Minneapolis it's excellent.
20 upvotes
Janice E.
I've lived in East for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by housing market. 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 outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Alice Howard
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
10 upvotes
Isaac N.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Luke
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Nathan Foster
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Isabelle Morgan
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.
5 upvotes
Gabriella
interesting, hadn't considered that
2 upvotes
Robert Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 38, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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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