Curious what people think. We're a young couple and Rent is about $971/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $86,600, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $42,672 in Van Horn. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
4 upvotes
6 Replies
Waylon Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 37, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Asher K.
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Melanie Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Uptown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
38 upvotes
Noah Martinez
facts
38 upvotes
Scarlett Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Hailey Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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