First post here. I've been here for 20 years and The median home value here is around $778,700, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. You can expect to pay around $2,101 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
36 upvotes
15 Replies
Paisley Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
40 upvotes
tulsa_cameron
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
39 upvotes
Elena
100%
27 upvotes
James Campbell
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Connor Smith
interesting, hadn't considered that
20 upvotes
Allison Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Declan Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Isaac N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
15 upvotes
Aria Murphy
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
cool_emily18
couldn't agree more
13 upvotes
Ethan H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 6 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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 high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Stella Brown
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Aurora Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
