OK so Any advice would be great. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Cooper Scott
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Eastside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Evan Allen
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Jace Ramirez
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Greyson Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
25 upvotes
Violet Allen
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Sara K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Piper H.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Stella Kim
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
hannah_heart
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Fairview area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Cora Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Gary H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Katherine Jackson
big facts right here
11 upvotes
Carter Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Luke M.
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 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.