Hey, Just moved here 5 months ago and The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,421/month for a decent place. Median household income is $67,374, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 9,770, Sedona is a small town. You can expect to pay around $1,421 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Close to nature
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Boring for young people
- Limited cultural events
Should I be concerned? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Michael Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis 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 Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Everly R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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
Maya Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
36 upvotes
brooklyn_living
I've lived in Highland for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Bobby M.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Arianna Moore
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Ian Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Clara L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 55, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
29 upvotes
Emilia Kelly
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
tucson_miles
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is average in most areas.
17 upvotes
Natalie Cook
Moved here from LA about 2 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to cultural scene but Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Naomi Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Chloe B.
literally same
8 upvotes
fresno_autumn
Moved here from San Diego about 1 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to food scene but Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Nicholas G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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