Hi all, We have two kids and Homes are going for about $578,100 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -University Place sits at 258.2 per 100K. With a population of 34,850, University Place is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
Amelia Wilson
following this thread
36 upvotes
Wesley Kim
Came here for work and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Amelia C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
David Gomez
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Ruby Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
33 upvotes
Ezra
This.
27 upvotes
Peyton Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 57, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Highland and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
20 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
19 upvotes
Reagan C.
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Maverick Diaz
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Riley
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Julian Miller
I'm a writer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Ella Mitchell
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
14 upvotes
Elizabeth Hughes
+1
13 upvotes
chicagopapa2023
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Carter Walker
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Jordan D.
seconding this
11 upvotes
proud_joseph53
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 8 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are challenging. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Audrey Price
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Zoe Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Evelyn Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Maverick Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 42, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. solid 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
9 upvotes
minneapolisvibes2024
I've lived in Uptown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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