Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2020. Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? Any help is appreciated. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
20 upvotes
13 Replies
Allison B.
spot on
39 upvotes
Austin Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
orlandopapa2022
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Benjamin Lee
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Christian R.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Dennis L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Julie O.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Denver about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Kai James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Peyton Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 15 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are tough. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Peyton Gonzalez
literally same
6 upvotes
Landon M.
Came here for school and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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