First post here. I'm a college student here and It's a a major city city with about 836K people. Average temperature is around 59°F, so the weather is moderate. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation?
81 upvotes
4 Replies
Denise B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
37 upvotes
Cooper Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 43, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in East and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. challenging 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Luke Jackson
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Luca Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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