I'm originally from Boston and The median home value here is around $284,600, which seems about average. It's a a small town city with about 6,410 people. Rent is about $1,277/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Anyone in a similar situation? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Hudson Sanders
Moved here last year, no regrets.
33 upvotes
Gabriel G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
30 upvotes
Elijah Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Levi Foster
100%
23 upvotes
isabella_runner
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
Madeline H.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Adam Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Riverside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside 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.
12 upvotes
Madeline Kim
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
Emilia Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
8 upvotes
Santiago Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
portland_carson
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Naomi Moore
I'm a contractor and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
Used to live on the West side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
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