Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $1,091,700 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
16 upvotes
11 Replies
Adrian Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 13 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And healthcare 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.
36 upvotes
avery_local
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
36 upvotes
Olivia Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego 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 Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Matthew L.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Carson Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 49, moved here 5 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
19 upvotes
Sophia
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
17 upvotes
Lori G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Jean A.
yeah no that's not right
6 upvotes
Connor Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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