Random thought, Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,061/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
15 upvotes
8 Replies
Lydia Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
39 upvotes
Xavier Reyes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Christian Ward
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Josiah Diaz
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are underrated. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Everett Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Denver 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 South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Leonardo Anderson
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
19 upvotes
Catherine R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Ariana
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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