I'm originally from Salt Lake City and Average temperature is around 55°F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
26 upvotes
23 Replies
Parker Torres
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Teresa M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Paisley King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Elijah Bennett
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
Jameson L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Old Town schools are hit or miss. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Roman Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
33 upvotes
Luca
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Serenity Jackson
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's surprisingly good.
28 upvotes
Clara
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Zoe R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. East schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Nova C.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Colton D.
This.
20 upvotes
Cameron
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Oliver M.
spot on
18 upvotes
Carter Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Eva W.
+1
16 upvotes
Jameson Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
11 upvotes
Leonardo Collins
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
11 upvotes
charlottesoul2022
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Melissa A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Elena Foster
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Luna Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Danielle T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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