Random thought, Been living here since 2007. With a population of 105K, Renton is a mid-size city. The city has invested a lot in new development. Anyone in a similar situation? The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Katherine Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 52, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. challenging 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
38 upvotes
John Long
100%
37 upvotes
Evelyn Chavez
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Emma
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 44, moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
29 upvotes
Carter
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
28 upvotes
desert_cooper35
honestly same experience here
15 upvotes
Roman W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Houston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Carolyn C.
this is the way
11 upvotes
Emmett Wilson
honestly same experience here
9 upvotes
Miles Moore
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
8 upvotes
Gabriel Ortiz
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Mateo G.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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