Just moved here 2 months ago and Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $105,073, which feels pretty solid for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
18 upvotes
21 Replies
Richard E.
100%
38 upvotes
Roman Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking 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 surprisingly 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Lydia Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Kai Rogers
Totally agree!
34 upvotes
Weston Ramirez
this is the way
32 upvotes
Maverick
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Ezekiel Nelson
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
Anna Perez
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Adeline Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Ariana Young
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Aaliyah Flores
same here
17 upvotes
Ezekiel Chavez
I've lived in Sunset for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Brooks K.
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Daniel Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
15 upvotes
Julia Reyes
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
11 upvotes
Ellie Rogers
I'm a teacher and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Chloe Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
8 upvotes
Waylon H.
100%
7 upvotes
Peyton
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
nashvillegirl2023
interesting, hadn't considered that
1 upvotes
Genesis Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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