Hello, Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $1,949 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I wrong here?
27 upvotes
12 Replies
Reagan Johnson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
houston_jordan
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Jack
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
28 upvotes
Evan Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Eastside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
20 upvotes
Adam C.
great question, following
18 upvotes
Santiago Martin
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Isabelle F.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Isaiah Mitchell
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Sebastian Mitchell
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
8 upvotes
Paisley King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 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 Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Cooper Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Ethan Ward
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Charlotte it's solid.
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