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Sarah Nelson moving

Moving to Salem for work -advice?

Alright, I've been here for 13 years and With a population of 25,477, Salem is a smaller city. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cheers. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up.
8 upvotes

3 Replies

Hannah Lopez
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Dominic L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Allison Wood
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
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