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Sebastian Peterson living

Honest thoughts on life in St. Stephens

First post here. I work in finance and Homes are going for about $187,500 on average. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 13.9%, which is around average. Median household income is $57,882, which feels about average for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to.

Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Great weather
- Friendly people
- Good schools
- Low taxes

Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited nightlife
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Limited cultural events
- Chain restaurants dominate
What would you do? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
12 upvotes

2 Replies

Grace Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are pretty good. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Jameson T.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
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