Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Robert Foster
Moved here from New York about 3 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
cincy_andrew
I've lived in South for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Ariana
thanks for sharing
34 upvotes
Brooklyn R.
Came here for weather and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Luna Roberts
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 8 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Samuel Garcia
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Robert Peterson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Grace Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Isabelle Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Emma Murphy
I've lived in West for about 1 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 Boston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Carol R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Chicago about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Jordan Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are pretty good. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Jordan B.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
philly_william
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
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