Hello, You can expect to pay around $2,223 for rent here. Poverty rate is 6.9%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development.
66 upvotes
27 Replies
Sadie Parker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Kennedy Jackson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Uptown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Michael Bennett
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Aurora T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Jonathan Cooper
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
28 upvotes
Ryan Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from San Diego about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Zoe R.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Kai R.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Aiden Mitchell
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Sofia Watson
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Kayla S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
22 upvotes
Evan J.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
15 upvotes
Gabriel Gonzalez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Sofia M.
literally same
14 upvotes
Weston Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Olivia Ortiz
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Evan Turner
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
seconding this
11 upvotes
Greyson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Sophia Scott
great question, following
9 upvotes
Michael Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. decent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
7 upvotes
Jayden Wood
lol so true
5 upvotes
Valentina Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 33, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Eastside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Seattle, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
1 upvotes
phillydude2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Theodore Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 53, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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