Hey folks, Worth the trade-offs? The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
10 upvotes
23 Replies
Waylon Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Logan C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Waylon D.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Eleanor Campbell
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Julia Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Benjamin Watson
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Christopher C.
literally same
30 upvotes
loving_ezekiel85
I'm a HR manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Victoria Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Brenda R.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
20 upvotes
Isla L.
preach
17 upvotes
Emmett Wilson
facts
17 upvotes
Wyatt J.
I'm a writer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Hannah G.
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Julie O.
I've lived in Westside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
cool_evan7
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
10 upvotes
Mackenzie K.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
10 upvotes
Theodore K.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
6 upvotes
Henry
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Gabriel M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Carolyn F.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Serenity E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Valentina Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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