I'm retired and Household incomes average around $250,001 in Somerset. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Samuel C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Houston it's challenging.
37 upvotes
Mackenzie Watson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
37 upvotes
Brooklyn L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 46, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
34 upvotes
Emmett Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Mackenzie W.
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.
30 upvotes
Gabriella Howard
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
Hailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Zoe
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Houston it's tough.
26 upvotes
Adrian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Uptown 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Sophia Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
15 upvotes
Miles Cooper
Saving this thread
14 upvotes
Cora K.
following this thread
13 upvotes
Joseph Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Declan
big facts right here
4 upvotes
Addison
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
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