Been meaning to ask this. I'm a 52-year-old graphic designer and Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,477 people. Household incomes average around $66,716 in Salem. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Let me know your thoughts. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
4 upvotes
7 Replies
Levi Gonzalez
hmm interesting perspective
34 upvotes
Joseph A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
32 upvotes
Waylon B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Julia Hall
I'm a contractor and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Maverick Hernandez
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
Cameron Harris
spot on
13 upvotes
Angel Diaz
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Midtown area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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