I grew up here but left for a while. You can expect to pay around $1,343 for rent here. Median household income is $74,925, which feels about average for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest? TIA! The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
46 upvotes
46 Replies
aaron_girl
yep
40 upvotes
Brooklyn Adams
this is the way
39 upvotes
Everly A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Delilah Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
nola_wyatt
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in South and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
36 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
same here
35 upvotes
Katherine H.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Ella
I work in consulting here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Angel Green
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Valentina G.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
32 upvotes
Landon Turner
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Everett Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 46, moved here 11 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in North and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
29 upvotes
Arianna Carter
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Grayson Rodriguez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
David Perez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Raleigh it's hit or miss.
28 upvotes
Piper S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
28 upvotes
Hailey G.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The weather is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Harper Diaz
following this thread
27 upvotes
Michael Harris
haha yep pretty much
27 upvotes
Madelyn B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Ethan Sanchez
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
24 upvotes
Emilia Cox
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Mia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Kevin M.
100%
21 upvotes
Aubrey Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Scott M.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Leonardo Foster
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to New York it's better than expected.
14 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable 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 The Heights side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Josiah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 35, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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
Samuel Parker
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Aaron T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 9 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Fairview schools are challenging. 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. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Xavier Reed
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Henry Campbell
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
portland_katherine
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 6 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Greenfield schools are solid. 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. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Luke
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is average and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Santiago Perez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Ruby
following this thread
5 upvotes
Ariana
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Midtown 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Harper Martinez
spot on
5 upvotes
Bennett Bennett
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Paisley Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
4 upvotes
sf_logan
preach
3 upvotes
Mackenzie W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Weston Moore
Bought a house here in 2024 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
1 upvotes
local_grayson89
Moved here last year, no regrets.
0 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 South for 3 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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