Hey everyone, Am I overthinking this? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
3 upvotes
21 Replies
Daniel Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
40 upvotes
Aubrey Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 56, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
40 upvotes
Ezekiel Peterson
Moved here from Boston about 7 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to food scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Miles Smith
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Pamela A.
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Silas Ross
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Liam Gomez
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Mark S.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Eastside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Everly Phillips
been saying this for years
29 upvotes
Mateo
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Lydia Williams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Genesis R.
I work in education here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Emily
I've lived in South for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Robert W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
elijah_walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Brooklyn
yep
14 upvotes
Ezekiel M.
thanks for sharing
12 upvotes
Brooks Scott
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
Cheryl S.
couldn't agree more
8 upvotes
Evan Stewart
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.