Alright, I work in government and The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Would love some local perspective. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
William Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Carter R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Eli Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Bennett T.
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Joseph Murphy
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Jaxon Rogers
spot on
14 upvotes
Aaron C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Delilah Foster
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes
Angel Jimenez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
1 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in South and Eastside, 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 pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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