Hi all, My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $1,967 for rent here. Average temperature is around 76--F, so it's warm year-round. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
39 upvotes
6 Replies
Ian
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
40 upvotes
native_zoey6
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Highland and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - 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 nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Grayson Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is tough in most areas.
20 upvotes
Ellie G.
+1
19 upvotes
Wyatt Reed
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much reasonable but now it's underrated.
17 upvotes
Lillian Reed
Moved here from Nashville about 12 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but No regrets on my end..
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