Curious what people think. Average temperature is around 58°F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider — Concord sits at 414.2 per 100K. Homes are going for about $755,900 on average. The median home value here is around $755,900, which is pretty steep. It's a a mid-size city city with about 124K people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Kayden Diaz
seconding this
37 upvotes
Jordan D.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
stlpapa2020
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Christian Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Lydia Taylor
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in West area are underrated. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Janice K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 46, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
20 upvotes
sdpapa2022
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Elena
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Wyatt White
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Zoey Parker
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Julia Stewart
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Scarlett Smith
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..