Curious what people think. Just moved here 9 months ago and Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Quinn Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Midtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
38 upvotes
Luca S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 34, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
30 upvotes
Katherine Jones
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Hailey Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes 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 average. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Joseph
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Ian Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
robert_girl
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
emilia_life
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Theodore Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin 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 Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Aiden James
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Christina K.
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Hannah Hughes
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Angel W.
hmm interesting perspective
3 upvotes
Chloe K.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..