Hello, I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 1.0%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $912 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Anna Sanders
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
40 upvotes
Alexa
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Evan Martin
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
36 upvotes
Jack Hughes
this is the way
34 upvotes
Jayden Jones
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
31 upvotes
Liam
great question, following
25 upvotes
Everly Flores
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Megan B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Fairview and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
21 upvotes
Zoe Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Riverside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
21 upvotes
Stella Kim
this is the way
12 upvotes
Aria Carter
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Emilia F.
preach
9 upvotes
columbus_nicholas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Xavier
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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