Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. You can expect to pay around $1,707 for rent here. Poverty rate is 4.5%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Anyone in a similar situation? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Elijah Green
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
Christian Sanders
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Jack Baker
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Ethan White
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Kennedy D.
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Carter Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Beverly J.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
15 upvotes
Evan Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
14 upvotes
kc_silas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
11 upvotes
Nora Price
great question, following
11 upvotes
Anna Kim
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Kenneth P.
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
4 upvotes
indy_ian
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
2 upvotes
Brooklyn Peterson
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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