So, I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $656 for rent here. Median household income is $34,328, which feels on the lower side for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What neighborhoods would you suggest? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
luca_native
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Boston it's underrated.
39 upvotes
raleighfan2023
Moved here from Seattle about 15 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to healthcare but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Grace Howard
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Elizabeth E.
I'm a contractor and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Michael P.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
27 upvotes
Anna Thompson
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Landon Thomas
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
21 upvotes
Hunter
same here
20 upvotes
Riley Harris
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Charlotte Garcia
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Skylar Sanders
Moved here from Miami about 5 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Luna B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 11 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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 solid. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Amelia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Leo Stewart
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Elijah W.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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