Hi all, We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Would love some local perspective. Any help is appreciated.
6 upvotes
21 Replies
Caleb Walker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is decent in most areas.
40 upvotes
Nicholas James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
40 upvotes
Carolyn W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Dylan Nguyen
preach
38 upvotes
Joshua O.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
tucsondude2022
yep
30 upvotes
Lucy Thomas
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Adeline Cruz
following this thread
26 upvotes
Anna Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
23 upvotes
Addison Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
21 upvotes
Grayson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Reagan Gutierrez
Moved here from New York about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
David Brown
lol so true
18 upvotes
Luke King
Moved here from New York about 9 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Leonardo Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh 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 Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
desert_nathan72
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Natalie H.
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..
9 upvotes
Aria Jones
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Charles R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
sffan2023
spot on
3 upvotes
Mason Garcia
Moved here from Seattle about 2 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but Hope this helps!.