First post here. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 13.1%, which is around average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Provo? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
30 Replies
jaxrider2024
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Daniel James
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
lasoul2022
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Sophia Sanchez
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
vegas_piper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 39, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
30 upvotes
Eliana
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Nova Bailey
hard disagree but ok
28 upvotes
Russell K.
Moved here from New York about 13 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to school system but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Madeline Diaz
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Eleanor C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 32, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. average 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Austin
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Eleanor P.
following this thread
21 upvotes
Jaxon Clark
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Nevaeh Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Aria Lopez
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Chloe W.
Moved here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Miles Nguyen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Stella Clark
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Ezra Howard
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Wesley Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Landon
Totally agree!
8 upvotes
Miles Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Brooklyn White
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Reagan Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Everett Murphy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
coastal_silas89
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
3 upvotes
Julian Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Ezra Allen
exactly what I was thinking
2 upvotes
Michelle T.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
1 upvotes
Jack Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.