All Countries
Asher Gonzalez
moving
What to expect moving to Decatur?
So, Rent is about $804/month for a decent place. Has anyone dealt with this?
15 upvotes
14 Replies
autumn_kid
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Mackenzie Kim
+1
38 upvotes
Lydia Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
33 upvotes
Evan B.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
32 upvotes
mountain_sophia27
Used to live on the North side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
28 upvotes
Kinsley Baker
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much established but now it's decent.
28 upvotes
Elijah Young
Moved here from Portland about 2 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to food scene but Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Albert D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Rylee Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Jack Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Cameron Ortiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Delilah Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Sunset area are underrated. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
nah I disagree
3 upvotes