Hello, I'm single, late 40s, and With a population of 11,805, Salem is a small town. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thoughts? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Aurora Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 31, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
40 upvotes
Wesley D.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Jayden Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Old Town and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Benjamin Chavez
I've lived in Riverside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Chloe W.
I've lived in Midtown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Owen Miller
been saying this for years
33 upvotes
Lily R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
31 upvotes
William Morales
this is the way
26 upvotes
Reagan Phillips
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Jose
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Aurora Morris
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Skylar Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 6 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Maya Rivera
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Asher Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Roman Ortiz
Used to live on the South side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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