Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Evelyn S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Oliver Rivera
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Audrey L.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
23 upvotes
Rylee Kim
same here
21 upvotes
Sophia T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Isla Rodriguez
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Aaron Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 58, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
15 upvotes
Clara
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Kaylee J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
13 upvotes
Aria
seconding this
9 upvotes
sofia_living
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
6 upvotes
Robert Evans
honestly same experience here
1 upvotes
Landon
Moved here last year, no regrets.
1 upvotes
audrey_heart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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