Hey, I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider — Salem sits at 381.0 per 100K. With a population of 177K, Salem is a mid-size city. You can expect to pay around $1,323 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Anyone in a similar situation? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
19 upvotes
11 Replies
Liam Hall
Moved here from Nashville about 14 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Nova Martinez
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Emma D.
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Ethan Castillo
good to know, thanks
32 upvotes
Zoe A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Nashville about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Carson Gonzalez
literally same
29 upvotes
Andrew Hughes
I work in engineering here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Miles Foster
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Amelia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 28, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Strong sense of community
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. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
13 upvotes
Connor Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
10 upvotes
Paisley Hernandez
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to walkability but Feel free to reach out with questions..
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