Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a 27-year-old HR manager and The median home value here is around $435,700, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -Selden sits at 22.0 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Any advice would be great. Thanks! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Riley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
40 upvotes
Hudson A.
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Easton H.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much developing but now it's improving.
36 upvotes
Benjamin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Boston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Avery Martinez
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Andrew Bennett
I've lived in Downtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Leah G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Lillian Turner
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Jaxon E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
12 upvotes
harper_soul
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Paisley R.
following this thread
8 upvotes
Nova Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
3 upvotes
Zoe H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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