I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $455,900 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
51 upvotes
25 Replies
Willie T.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Meadowbrook area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Aaron W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Emilia B.
accurate
40 upvotes
Evelyn Gray
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Terry N.
following this thread
34 upvotes
Bella C.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
32 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Reagan
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Cooper R.
facts
28 upvotes
Judy G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
santiago_mama
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
charlottelover2020
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
Skylar Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
engineering is strong here. marketing 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Eastside schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Andrew
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
delilah_native
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
17 upvotes
born_luke37
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Gabriel Hall
accurate
11 upvotes
Naomi Phillips
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
Levi Hall
preach
10 upvotes
Lucas Edwards
great question, following
8 upvotes
Gary J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
6 upvotes
Harold K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 45, moved here 8 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
3 upvotes
Lucy Rodriguez
couldn't agree more
3 upvotes
Ethan B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Hannah
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..