Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 61,129 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Bristol sits at 88.4 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I overthinking this? Appreciate any input.
17 upvotes
22 Replies
austinmama2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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
Emma
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Everly
preach
34 upvotes
Willow Flores
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Phoenix it's challenging.
33 upvotes
Audrey P.
following this thread
31 upvotes
Jace Foster
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Hailey E.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
Daniel James
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Everett Jimenez
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Genesis Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Nora Ross
big facts right here
19 upvotes
Jace Harris
following this thread
18 upvotes
Autumn C.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Caleb Gray
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Jordan Foster
facts
12 upvotes
Ariana K.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Aaron B.
accurate
8 upvotes
Maverick Adams
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
8 upvotes
Sarah G.
This.
7 upvotes
Sarah J.
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Skylar Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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