Hey, I'm a 26-year-old restaurant manager and Poverty rate is 11.1%, which is around average. Median household income is $62,877, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,496 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience? Thanks! Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
Bruce T.
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Dominic K.
yep
40 upvotes
Violet Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 40, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
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:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Emilia Hernandez
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
Grayson
great question, following
38 upvotes
Dominic Hughes
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
36 upvotes
Leah Myers
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The job market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Sophia Morales
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Madeline Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Leonardo Collins
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Jordan B.
+1
21 upvotes
Clara B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
20 upvotes
Nova Myers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Adrian Flores
I work in government here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Allison M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Brooks Richardson
following this thread
17 upvotes
Oliver R.
I've lived in Fairview for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
James T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Nathan Wood
interesting, hadn't considered that
10 upvotes
Dominic Clark
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Bobby T.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
7 upvotes
Madeline Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Parker Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 31, moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in East and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
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