Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,287/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $494,000, which is pretty steep. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Jackson
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Caroline P.
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. public transit used to be much growing but now it's tough.
38 upvotes
Jonathan Walker
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Arianna Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 45, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in South and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
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. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
37 upvotes
Aaron Cruz
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Silas Thomas
good to know, thanks
32 upvotes
boston_eva
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
30 upvotes
Naomi
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
28 upvotes
Thomas Perez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Roman Mitchell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
genesis_native
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Riverside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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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