Curious what people think. Median household income is $36,397, which feels on the lower side for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thanks! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
11 upvotes
9 Replies
William Foster
hmm interesting perspective
37 upvotes
Audrey Jimenez
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Wesley Martin
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Anna Torres
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Ellie A.
Moved here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to housing market but Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Melanie Sanchez
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Maya Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Austin Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 48, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Downtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
11 upvotes
Leo Thomas
I work in consulting here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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