I've been here for 16 years and Poverty rate is 13.1%, which is around average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 100K people. Median household income is $59,485, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,178/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
58 upvotes
12 Replies
chicagomind2025
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Miami about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Michael R.
interesting, hadn't considered that
38 upvotes
Violet P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Diego it's pretty good.
31 upvotes
Alexis C.
This.
21 upvotes
Alexa H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 33, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
20 upvotes
Jayden Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly 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:**
government is strong here. education 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. North schools are challenging. 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. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Dylan James
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Seattle about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Hazel King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Samuel Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Eastside and Downtown, 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Jason B.
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
tulsagirl2021
bump
7 upvotes
Maya Peterson
I work in legal here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is underrated. No regrets on my end..
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