Curious what people think. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Anyone in a similar situation? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Ariana Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Raleigh it's decent.
36 upvotes
Declan Perez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
36 upvotes
Victoria Scott
same here
34 upvotes
Emma Collins
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
henry_mama
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 tough. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Jonathan Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Bella White
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Mason Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Mason Patel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Eliana Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Hudson A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Lucy Thomas
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Avery
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
5 upvotes
coastal_clara80
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
All Countries
