Is Sierra Vista Southeast good for remote workers?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 7.5%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,050 for rent here. Rent is about $1,050/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 14,213 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Adeline Edwards
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Anna Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 41, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in West and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
24 upvotes
Emma G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Elena Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from New York about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Ryan
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Kaylee P.
I've lived in Midtown for about 8 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 Portland, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Jacob G.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The public transit is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Cooper Young
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Ruby Myers
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
James Thomas
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
6 upvotes
Autumn B.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
Violet Torres
Saving this thread
1 upvotes
Dominic Kelly
I'm a HR manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
0 upvotes
Avery Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.