Not sure if this has been asked before, but I've been here for 18 years and The unemployment rate is 7.7%, which is concerning. It's a a major city city with about 637K people. Poverty rate is 26.9%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $39,575, which feels on the lower side for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
89 upvotes
12 Replies
David Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh 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 Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Elizabeth
spot on
24 upvotes
Serenity Young
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
Samuel Hill
I've lived in The Heights for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Emilia Gray
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Lillian Adams
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Isaiah Moore
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Nora L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
7 upvotes
Alice Gray
I work in finance here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Nora J.
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Sebastian Long
noted, appreciate it
1 upvotes
Allison G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Nashville about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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