Considering South Charleston vs Salt Lake City -help me decide
Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 21.4%, which is higher than I expected. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Benjamin Rogers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Eleanor C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
John
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 Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Downtown 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Everett
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
28 upvotes
Santiago White
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Matthew W.
following this thread
18 upvotes
Christian Williams
following this thread
18 upvotes
Hudson Morgan
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Lily Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago 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 Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Christina P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Elizabeth Collins
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Nora L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Olivia Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Eleanor C.
Bought a house here in 2021 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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