Anyone else feel this way? Military spouse here. It's a a smaller city city with about 39,491 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thanks for reading. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
3 Replies
Declan Chavez
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Cynthia W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 35, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in The Heights and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.