So, Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,733/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $383,900, which seems about average. Median household income is $78,513, which feels about average for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
13 upvotes
30 Replies
Jacob D.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Ruby C.
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
39 upvotes
Debra W.
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Riley Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
37 upvotes
Santiago Martin
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
Melanie
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Nicholas Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 52, moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in West and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
32 upvotes
Henry Jimenez
100%
31 upvotes
Ava
Came here for weather and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Henry
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
27 upvotes
Dominic Bailey
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Ava Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Aaron Clark
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Maya Martinez
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Connor Turner
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Alexa H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
19 upvotes
Nova C.
I work in manufacturing here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Savannah
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Miami it's decent.
19 upvotes
Emma P.
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Cora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Ezekiel Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 35, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
12 upvotes
Scarlett Stewart
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Baltimore it's average.
12 upvotes
Delilah Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Kayden Garcia
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Grayson Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 24, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Sunset and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
8 upvotes
Henry Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
7 upvotes
Kaylee M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 42, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in North and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
5 upvotes
Aaron B.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
4 upvotes
Joshua Hall
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
0 upvotes
Valentina J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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