Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $1,868 for rent here. Poverty rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Marilyn C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Mark S.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
37 upvotes
loving_nathan28
lol so true
33 upvotes
Valentina Jimenez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Piper King
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Hazel Clark
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Nashville it's hit or miss.
23 upvotes
Dylan Rivera
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The nightlife is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Naomi S.
honestly same experience here
14 upvotes
Mateo
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Hailey Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Atlanta about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Jacob Thomas
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
houstonkid2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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