Alright, I'm retired and Median household income is $103,888, which feels pretty solid for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What are your go-to spots? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to.
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Adrian Murphy
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Charlotte it's improving.
40 upvotes
audrey_walker
nah I disagree
30 upvotes
Bella C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
lamind2022
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Gianna Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
native_ian37
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland 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 Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Ava
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
12 upvotes
David B.
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
denvergirl2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
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