Hey, Been living here since 2006. The unemployment rate is 7.2%, which is concerning. Poverty rate is 18.9%, which is higher than I expected. With a population of 40,464, DeKalb is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -DeKalb sits at 577.5 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
20 upvotes
9 Replies
raleigh_sadie
following this thread
40 upvotes
raised_lillian22
great question, following
40 upvotes
Arianna Anderson
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Highland area are excellent. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Cooper Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
38 upvotes
denverrider2021
bump
31 upvotes
Angel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Minneapolis it's surprisingly good.
24 upvotes
Eli D.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Robert R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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