I'm originally from Phoenix and The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,481/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Worth the trade-offs? The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
30 Replies
Olivia Thomas
I'm a nurse and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Violet Brooks
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Westside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Maya Patel
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Samuel Wood
accurate
36 upvotes
Lydia Ramirez
accurate
35 upvotes
Eleanor Anderson
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Thai places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Patricia A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Evan Mendoza
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Willow Taylor
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Addison Morgan
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Andrew Watson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is average in most areas.
30 upvotes
Leonardo Cruz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Kai Parker
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in East area are challenging. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Jaxon Long
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Logan Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
28 upvotes
Liam Brooks
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Dylan Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
James Torres
yep
26 upvotes
Ronald R.
literally same
23 upvotes
Luna T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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
Isaac Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
sdmind2022
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
17 upvotes
Lucy A.
spot on
15 upvotes
Maya Brown
bump
15 upvotes
Aurora Wright
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
Logan Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Theodore Brooks
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Jose O.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Gabriel Castillo
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
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