Hey folks, Median household income is $211,233, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
Reagan W.
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Aubrey L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
38 upvotes
Jeremiah H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
William Martinez
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Isaac Cox
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is average and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Aaron R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 30, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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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