Longtime lurker here, I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $68,769, which feels about average for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 27,700 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
12 upvotes
8 Replies
Nathan Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Nora Thomas
Came here for work and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
logan_walker
Moved here from Nashville about 4 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to weather but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Harper Martin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Ella M.
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Joshua A.
it depends on the neighborhood
10 upvotes
Charlotte S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is growing 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 Homeless population growing 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.
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