I'm single, late 50s, and Median household income is $34,746, which feels on the lower side for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Appreciate any input. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Naomi C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 55, moved here 10 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Eastside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
28 upvotes
Aaron C.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The safety is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Scarlett Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 surprisingly good. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Kaylee J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Luca King
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great BBQ places. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
Joan W.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Uptown area are improving. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Landon Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Camila H.
couldn't agree more
20 upvotes
Isabelle Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 43, moved here 1 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
19 upvotes
Willow Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Maya White
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Jose W.
Saving this thread
3 upvotes
Harper Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Abigail M.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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