Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $899 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Hailey Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Luca R.
I've lived in Downtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Josiah Sanchez
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Hudson Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Sarah Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Luca King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
lake_jordan44
This.
24 upvotes
Ezekiel Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Everly M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Nevaeh W.
I've lived in South for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
waylon_guy
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.