Rent is about $1,159/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Joshua R.
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
38 upvotes
Aria R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Brooks Jones
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Addison R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Austin Ross
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Johnson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Isabelle Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
26 upvotes
Claire R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Madelyn Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
23 upvotes
Dominic K.
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Sarah
lol so true
17 upvotes
Silas Myers
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Cameron Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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