Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $62,627, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 7.4%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Elijah B.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
37 upvotes
Emma Martinez
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much developing but now it's decent.
31 upvotes
Katherine Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 55, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
25 upvotes
Connor James
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 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 outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Jonathan Ward
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Kennedy N.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much manageable but now it's tough.
9 upvotes
James Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
