Hey everyone, I'm retired and The median home value here is around $252,400, which seems about average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
56 upvotes
28 Replies
Victoria R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Sadie M.
thanks for sharing
40 upvotes
tulsapapa2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 55, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
40 upvotes
Emily M.
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Anna Sanders
spot on
38 upvotes
Nova Smith
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Audrey R.
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Riley Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers 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 decent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Jose Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Jack Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are better than expected. 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. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Ronald R.
I've lived in Highland for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Ellie
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Benjamin P.
spot on
24 upvotes
Bella R.
I've lived in Sunset for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. 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 school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
born_rylee41
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is solid in most areas.
20 upvotes
Willow Bennett
this is the way
16 upvotes
Serenity Gray
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Olivia E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Houston it's hit or miss.
14 upvotes
Delilah G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Phoenix it's underrated.
10 upvotes
wild_asher45
yep
9 upvotes
Brooklyn
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. 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. Riverside schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Declan G.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Ethan Morgan
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Maria M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Rylee
literally same
5 upvotes
Waylon Peterson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Dylan Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Ryan Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
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