Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $864,800 on average. Household incomes average around $140,160 in Arlington. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
25 upvotes
9 Replies
John C.
great question, following
40 upvotes
Ezekiel Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
32 upvotes
Miles L.
yep
25 upvotes
Alexander Watson
Used to live on the South side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
24 upvotes
Maya Martinez
bump
14 upvotes
Arianna G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
4 upvotes
Naomi
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..