Hey folks, The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
18 upvotes
27 Replies
Carolyn C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
40 upvotes
Olivia C.
seconding this
39 upvotes
charlotte_bennett
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Elena Jackson
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Madelyn R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
Jayden Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Clara Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
Declan Cook
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Hudson Phillips
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Nolan Carter
Moved here from Seattle about 9 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to safety but Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Addison Chavez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Austin it's average.
29 upvotes
Ethan Harris
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Allison Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 43, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
27 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
haha yep pretty much
26 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
sd_wesley
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
15 upvotes
Isaiah Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
12 upvotes
Christian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 6 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Eastside schools are solid. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic 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.
12 upvotes
Julian Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
11 upvotes
Lillian Gonzalez
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Adam Ruiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Pittsburgh it's solid.
10 upvotes
Hailey Green
been saying this for years
6 upvotes
William S.
I'm a sales manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Genesis G.
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Kayla M.
following this thread
3 upvotes
Elena Cox
glad someone said it
1 upvotes
Isabella A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is average in most areas.
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