Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $197,600, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $1,436 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up.
16 upvotes
29 Replies
Audrey Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from LA about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Gianna Bennett
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Johnny A.
hard disagree but ok
39 upvotes
Samuel Bailey
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Paisley Lewis
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Adeline C.
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Maverick Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Karen C.
Moved here from Dallas about 10 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Ezra Clark
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Robert White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
33 upvotes
Caroline Bennett
yep
32 upvotes
Dylan Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
loving_everly78
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 26, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, 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. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Eva Gomez
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Hudson S.
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Lily Allen
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is average in most areas.
26 upvotes
Violet M.
I work in finance here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
proud_gabriella57
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 7 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jeremiah Ramirez
I work in legal here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Nathan Ross
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 12 years. Moved from New York for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Michael Lewis
I've lived in Eastside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Eva Carter
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Bruce G.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The job market is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Landon Alvarez
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
11 upvotes
Mia Taylor
haha yep pretty much
5 upvotes
Naomi Moore
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Ezra Collins
been saying this for years
3 upvotes
Hannah B.
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Ronald D.
I've lived in Riverside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
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