OK so Just moved here 17 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 21,170 people. Household incomes average around $85,927 in Carrboro. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? Any help is appreciated. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
6 upvotes
9 Replies
Zoey G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
native_kayden55
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Nathan Parker
I work in manufacturing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Emmett T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Eli Miller
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Aubrey D.
glad someone said it
15 upvotes
Ellie Roberts
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Carson H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 56, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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