Not sure if this has been asked before, but We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $350,800, which seems about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development.
7 upvotes
16 Replies
Violet Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Alexander Watson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Olivia Baker
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
34 upvotes
Sophia H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Chloe Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Rylee H.
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 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. tough 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Peter R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Elena Lewis
big facts right here
25 upvotes
James Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Denver about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
raleighmama2021
thanks for sharing
19 upvotes
Paisley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Eastside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
18 upvotes
Declan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Tampa for school. 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 up significantly 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:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. North 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. Limited public transit options. Summers can be brutally hot. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Clara Chavez
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 job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Sunset) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
9 upvotes
Emilia Edwards
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
Jerry A.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
6 upvotes
Luna Peterson
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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