Hi all, I work in construction and Crime rate is something to consider -Central sits at 809.4 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think?
26 upvotes
5 Replies
Naomi Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
39 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
24 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Leonardo Flores
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much growing but now it's decent.
17 upvotes
Aria C.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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