I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do? The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Jose Wood
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The dating scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Skylar Ortiz
I'm a writer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Joseph A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Tampa it's excellent.
32 upvotes
Noah F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Julie B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Lillian C.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Clara Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Kinsley Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable 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 underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Josiah Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Brooklyn Roberts
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much stable but now it's improving.
8 upvotes
milwaukee_emily
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Jace W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
1 upvotes
Arianna Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Ellie Moore
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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