First post here. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
17 Replies
Isabella G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Christian B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
35 upvotes
dallas_wyatt
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Nathan C.
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Isla Price
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Lydia G.
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. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Waylon B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
24 upvotes
Zoe Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Roman Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 47, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Diverse dining 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. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
14 upvotes
Donna M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Dylan K.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's improving.
13 upvotes
sunny_avery32
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Aaliyah Gray
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
dc_jose
I've lived in East for about 9 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 job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Parker Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Miles T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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