Longtime lurker here, Average temperature is around 45--F, so bundle up in winter. Poverty rate is 16.0%, which is higher than I expected. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks for reading. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
28 upvotes
13 Replies
Emma Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Zoey Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Santiago Howard
good to know, thanks
36 upvotes
Aaron Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Jonathan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Joseph W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
28 upvotes
Luca Allen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Aria Gonzalez
big facts right here
26 upvotes
austin_skylar
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Zachary G.
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Rylee Hernandez
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 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 excellent. 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. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Olivia Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - 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 nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Ezekiel Bennett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Raleigh it's improving.
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