I'm a college student here and It's a a mid-size city city with about 108K people. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cheers. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
52 upvotes
17 Replies
Adam Garcia
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
39 upvotes
John Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
David J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Elena 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 3 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Eastside schools are average. 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Marilyn R.
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Dominic Stewart
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
30 upvotes
Skylar
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Charlotte W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
27 upvotes
Philip G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
27 upvotes
madeline_soul
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Jack Foster
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Olivia Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
21 upvotes
Valentina Turner
spot on
16 upvotes
Caleb Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Caroline Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Jeremiah B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 41, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
0 upvotes
Jayden Collins
Moved here from Seattle about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
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