Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 395K people. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
29 upvotes
21 Replies
Eva Bennett
I've lived in East 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 Houston, I was surprised by job 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 job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Grace T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Diego about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Ian Flores
honestly same experience here
36 upvotes
Cameron H.
yep
36 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
sd_hailey
Used to live on the South side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
34 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
Ellie O.
preach
29 upvotes
Anna Bailey
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Joseph Ross
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
28 upvotes
sunny_kinsley91
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Jack Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. North schools are surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
22 upvotes
Brooklyn H.
not my experience at all
22 upvotes
Sarah M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Santiago Myers
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Angel Hughes
I've lived in Old Town for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Weston M.
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Everly
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Carter Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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
Zoey Kelly
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
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