I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The median home value here is around $137,100, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. Rent is about $1,057/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,057 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I wrong here? TIA! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
3 upvotes
5 Replies
Hannah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Maria W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. excellent 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
26 upvotes
Victoria Perez
Moved here from San Diego about 3 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Hudson Morris
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Alexis C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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