Hey folks, Rent is about $2,082/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What are your go-to spots?
27 upvotes
24 Replies
Madelyn Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited public transit options. Summers can be brutally hot. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Miles P.
100%
39 upvotes
Catherine C.
wish I knew this sooner
35 upvotes
Landon Wright
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Jackson Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Everett Campbell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Leah R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Logan Ortiz
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Claire R.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
28 upvotes
Aaliyah G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Luca Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 47, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
25 upvotes
Lily Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
raised_sophie44
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Nova Patel
this is the way
19 upvotes
nola_evan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Grace Lewis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Grayson Martin
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
proud_eliana38
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Maverick Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, 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.
9 upvotes
Genesis C.
haha yep pretty much
3 upvotes
Quinn Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Claire K.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are average. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Caleb Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
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