Homes are going for about $154,600 on average. It's a a small town city with about 15,396 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
tampa_elijah
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Samuel R.
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
cora_native
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
26 upvotes
Luca Moore
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Luke M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Christian White
+1
16 upvotes
Adrian
Bought a house here in 2021 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
16 upvotes
Allison M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Sarah Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Old Town and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
10 upvotes
Arianna Patel
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Allison Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
8 upvotes
Zachary B.
literally same
5 upvotes
Julian Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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