First post here. I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 85,734 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts?
5 upvotes
5 Replies
Olivia Ramos
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Isabella R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Silas Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. South 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Sarah Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty 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 healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. tough 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
17 upvotes
David
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. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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