I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 6.4%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? The city has invested a lot in new development.
18 upvotes
30 Replies
Claire
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Christian Mendoza
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Genesis Rodriguez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Jeremiah
Moved here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to weather but Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Isabella Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Cameron Bennett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Houston it's better than expected.
31 upvotes
Brooklyn Young
This.
31 upvotes
Savannah Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Henry B.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Brielle W.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Midtown area are average. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
John R.
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Charlotte Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Hunter Thompson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
18 upvotes
Anna H.
I work in hospitality here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Christian J.
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Ian H.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Easton T.
I've lived in West for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
David J.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Eleanor R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Bennett Richardson
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Isabelle A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Quinn Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance 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 underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Abigail Johnson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Easton Bennett
yep
6 upvotes
Michelle R.
facts
5 upvotes
Sophia Jones
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Thai places. it was the best decision I ever made.
5 upvotes
tulsaguy2023
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Cameron Bennett
honestly same experience here
3 upvotes
Karen E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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