Longtime lurker here, You can expect to pay around $839 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do?
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Ezra Rogers
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
Jacob Wood
following this thread
27 upvotes
Thomas Martinez
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Edward A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Dallas about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Clara Anderson
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Jason F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Adam Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 42, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
17 upvotes
Joshua K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 36, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
13 upvotes
Everly Cox
great question, following
13 upvotes
Wesley N.
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
Kimberly W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Asher Rodriguez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
6 upvotes
Levi Martin
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Christopher L.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Cooper Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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