Hey folks, Military spouse here. It's a a smaller city city with about 26,467 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
19 Replies
Rylee Watson
Moved here from Austin about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to healthcare but Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Austin Wilson
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Ellie Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
nyc_eli
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Bella A.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Southern places. I love the pace of life here.
32 upvotes
Avery Brown
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Isla White
I've lived in South for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Henry Ward
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Victoria Castillo
seconding this
27 upvotes
Ryan J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Miles Nelson
Came here for work and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Eliana M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
19 upvotes
Sofia James
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Mateo
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Sophia M.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
10 upvotes
austinlife2021
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Claire Garcia
same here
5 upvotes
Jameson Hughes
+1
3 upvotes
Emmett W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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