Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and You can expect to pay around $1,774 for rent here. Median household income is $105,405, which feels pretty solid for the area. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What are your go-to spots? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Parker M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
40 upvotes
dallas_declan
bump
39 upvotes
Austin Brown
Used to live on the South side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
39 upvotes
Sofia H.
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Cooper Hall
Moved here from Boston about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cost of living but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Nathan Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 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 Maple Ridge. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Henry Price
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Natalie Thomas
I work in hospitality here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Riley
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Anthony B.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great seafood places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
7 upvotes
Xavier Brown
yeah no that's not right
2 upvotes
Dylan Martinez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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