Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
portland_allison
lol so true
38 upvotes
Virginia R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Chloe S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 27, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Old Town and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
30 upvotes
Chloe Wood
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Bennett G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 25, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Downtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
Claire Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 42, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - 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 safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
25 upvotes
Everett Morris
spot on
20 upvotes
Santiago P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Henry Gray
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Fairview area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Nora
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
matthew_girl
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
David L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Emma R.
nah I disagree
1 upvotes
mesaguy2022
big facts right here
0 upvotes
Adam C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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