Hey, Rent is about $1,606/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,606 for rent here. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
5 Replies
Sophie Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 9 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. finance 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Liam James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Ellie G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are underrated. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Carol C.
I work in real estate here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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