Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Median household income is $132,015, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $1,203,900, which is pretty steep. It's a a smaller city city with about 76,876 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
29 upvotes
14 Replies
Paisley Carter
seconding this
38 upvotes
urban_brielle70
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is underrated in most areas.
38 upvotes
Cooper Foster
wish I knew this sooner
35 upvotes
evelyn_heart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Raleigh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Zachary G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Ethan Stewart
I've lived in Westside for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Samuel Y.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Harper Myers
Moved here from Minneapolis about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Ian Kim
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
21 upvotes
Grace Collins
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Caroline
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Audrey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 47, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
12 upvotes
Adam Green
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Elena Davis
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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