So, Just moved here 9 months ago and The median home value here is around $191,700, which is actually reasonable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
28 upvotes
22 Replies
Robert K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
34 upvotes
caroline_mind
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Greenfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Aaliyah Reed
preach
31 upvotes
Hunter Brown
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Downtown area are improving. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
true_joshua86
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Edward M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is solid in most areas.
27 upvotes
Alexander E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Downtown 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Elena R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 57, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
quinn_life
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Greyson Alvarez
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
Austin
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Adam T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Ella F.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Katherine
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Jameson Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
8 upvotes
Kayden Morales
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Amelia Williams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Naomi M.
great question, following
5 upvotes
Sarah Carter
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Riverside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
John Richardson
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
2 upvotes
Isabella Green
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
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