Hi all, I work in real estate and Median household income is $39,350, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $138,200, which is actually reasonable. It's a a small town city with about 16,118 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
4 upvotes
3 Replies
Isabella E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Oliver Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Chloe Wood
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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