So, The median home value here is around $90,800, which is actually reasonable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Thoughts? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Weston Bailey
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..
39 upvotes
columbus_hazel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Dominic Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Jose Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Fairview and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
23 upvotes
William Lewis
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
19 upvotes
Mason M.
it depends on the neighborhood
14 upvotes
Kai Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in West and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
14 upvotes
Emilia T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Seattle it's challenging.
7 upvotes
George G.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor recreation is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
stlsoul2024
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Joshua A.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
3 upvotes
Wesley Campbell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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