Hey, I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $752 for rent here. The median home value here is around $99,800, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Salem sits at 297.8 per 100K. With a population of 7,341, Salem is a small town. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Thanks for reading. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
5 Replies
Justin J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Arthur G.
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Oliver R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Leah Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Jayden M.
I work in consulting here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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