Random thought, It's a a small town city with about 1,478 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Nathan Jimenez
bump
37 upvotes
Parker Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 49, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
35 upvotes
Ava C.
I work in engineering here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is pretty good. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Aaliyah Myers
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Madelyn
preach
18 upvotes
Eli Chavez
big facts right here
9 upvotes
John T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Evan T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 32, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
6 upvotes
Cameron Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
David Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Weston Hughes
I work in real estate here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Jackson Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 47, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. hit or miss 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
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