Hey, I'm originally from New York and It's a a small town city with about 19,881 people. The median home value here is around $1,072,200, which is pretty steep. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Jordan Ross
100%
40 upvotes
Kennedy Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Daniel Jones
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Ava Myers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to LA it's surprisingly good.
30 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
spot on
29 upvotes
Isaac Reyes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Luna Wright
yeah no that's not right
16 upvotes
Hailey Gutierrez
following this thread
14 upvotes
Zoe
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Asher Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty 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. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
atl_grace
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
dcvibes2020
honestly same experience here
4 upvotes
Adrian Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Gabriella R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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