Poverty rate is 12.9%, which is around average. Rent is about $1,477/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Worth the trade-offs? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
16 upvotes
27 Replies
Brielle James
literally same
40 upvotes
Isaac M.
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Joshua Patel
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Chloe Mendoza
seconding this
37 upvotes
Evan Ruiz
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
33 upvotes
Isla L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Anna Howard
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Ellie G.
literally same
31 upvotes
Jose M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to New York it's hit or miss.
31 upvotes
Chloe
Moved here from Denver about 6 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to walkability but Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Madeline Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Santiago Morris
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
Thomas Howard
I'm a HR manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Violet K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Houston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
charlotte_bennett
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 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. 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 up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Jeremiah Davis
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Daniel Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
James Nguyen
glad someone said it
17 upvotes
Kayden Ross
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are decent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Elijah Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Chloe
literally same
13 upvotes
Eliana Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts 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 excellent. 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. Limited public transit options. Summers can be brutally hot. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
Bought a house here in 2018 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
11 upvotes
Evan Hall
Moved here from LA about 13 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to weather but Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Emilia Brown
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Caleb Miller
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.