So, We have two kids and Homes are going for about $232,100 on average. Poverty rate is 17.2%, which is higher than I expected. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
24 upvotes
25 Replies
Aaron Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Eastside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. pretty good 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
39 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
38 upvotes
Alexis C.
accurate
38 upvotes
Brooklyn Bennett
honestly same experience here
36 upvotes
Hailey Bailey
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Everly Kim
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Carter Harris
bump
35 upvotes
Emmett B.
yep
33 upvotes
Samuel Scott
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 underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
31 upvotes
Adeline White
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Asian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Delilah R.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Indian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
27 upvotes
Maverick M.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much competitive but now it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Bennett Rivera
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Ethan P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
oliver_kid
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Isabelle Phillips
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Highland area are improving. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Adam Jackson
100%
13 upvotes
Oliver Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 38, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
13 upvotes
Mackenzie James
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
13 upvotes
Benjamin Murphy
literally same
7 upvotes
Wesley Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 4 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Adrian Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
4 upvotes
Robert H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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