Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $364,300, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts. Any help is appreciated. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
Aria Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
40 upvotes
Jace Stewart
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Raleigh it's average.
29 upvotes
Olivia Ramos
Bought a house here in 2021 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
minneapolis_benjamin
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Katherine B.
I work in real estate here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Matthew Perez
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Harper Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
detroit_michael
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Jackson Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 32, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
7 upvotes
Isaiah
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
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