Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. 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. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Chloe Ruiz
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Jace Mendoza
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Quinn Foster
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
Henry G.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 3 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 Austin, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is average
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Stella P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Paisley Collins
I'm a writer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Sarah Robinson
as a local I can confirm
21 upvotes
James Moore
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Phoenix it's challenging.
17 upvotes
Ian Smith
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Wesley M.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Sunset area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
mesa_eliana
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
4 upvotes
Hannah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Lucy Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.