Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 0.9%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $159,638, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,550/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 13,405 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I wrong here? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Silas Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Pine Hills and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
38 upvotes
Eva Mitchell
accurate
35 upvotes
thomas_lover
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Grace Adams
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
26 upvotes
Noah R.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Eleanor G.
accurate
22 upvotes
Hudson Sanders
Moved here from San Francisco about 8 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Jordan Hall
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Jack Howard
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Christian Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Weston
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Mateo Carter
bump
6 upvotes
Ellie Brown
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Eastside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
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