Alright, We're a young couple and It's a a mid-size city city with about 177K people. Household incomes average around $129,399 in Cary. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
54 upvotes
7 Replies
Leah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 57, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Victoria Ward
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Michael Flores
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Sofia Price
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Nathan Cruz
yep
19 upvotes
John Murphy
great question, following
18 upvotes
chicagorunner2024
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.
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