Hey folks, Rent is about $693/month for a decent place. Median household income is $60,625, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $693 for rent here. Homes are going for about $162,300 on average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cheers. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
10 Replies
Nicholas Kim
glad someone said it
28 upvotes
Valentina Richardson
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Mateo Thompson
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Noah Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Riley W.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
greyson_life
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
jace_mind
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 28, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Riverside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong sense of community
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. Rising rent and home prices
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
10 upvotes
Ezra
great question, following
10 upvotes
Nevaeh Jones
bump
7 upvotes
angel_soul
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
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