Alright, I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $1,984 for rent here. Homes are going for about $552,400 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Worth the trade-offs? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Elena Perez
I'm a electrician and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Sadie Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Asher Brooks
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Silas Lewis
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Elena Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Emily G.
I work in marketing here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Delilah Harris
interesting, hadn't considered that
18 upvotes
Luca Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Melanie M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
15 upvotes
Adrian Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 28, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
13 upvotes
Cooper Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Kinsley R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Benjamin S.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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