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Julia Y. living

Why I chose Apex over bigger cities

Longtime lurker here, I'm a 44-year-old mechanic and Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate.
30 upvotes

24 Replies

Carson Campbell
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much wild but now it's tough.
38 upvotes
Elena J.
accurate
38 upvotes
Luke S.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
Liam Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value school system, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
35 upvotes
Wyatt Mendoza
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Sean B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
luke_fan
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Lucas M.
Moved here from Denver about 1 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Luca Cooper
I've lived in Fairview for about 6 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 Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Vivian A.
I work in tech here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Isabella Myers
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Terry W.
literally same
19 upvotes
Kennedy Chavez
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Stella Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a data analyst who relocated here from LA about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.

Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Robert R.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Miles Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Parker Patel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Everett Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.

Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.

People: Generally challenging. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Declan Wright
seconding this
9 upvotes
Emily Garcia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Jonathan S.
I work in tech here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is pretty good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Emilia Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside 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.
3 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
1 upvotes
Nathan Morgan
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much competitive but now it's improving.
0 upvotes
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