First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 5.3%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Worth the trade-offs?
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Sebastian
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Claire Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 5 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
I'm a data analyst and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Serenity Gray
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is average in most areas.
32 upvotes
Gabriella L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 13 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
31 upvotes
Lily Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Greyson T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Kaylee Gomez
same here
25 upvotes
Wesley D.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Everett Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Lydia Adams
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramos
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. it's been a really good experience overall.
9 upvotes
Joseph Rodriguez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
8 upvotes
Autumn Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from San Diego about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
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