Crime rate is something to consider -Dover sits at 78.3 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. Cheers. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
27 upvotes
21 Replies
Austin M.
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Ruby C.
I've lived in Downtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Sebastian W.
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
37 upvotes
Nathan P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
31 upvotes
Angel Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Gianna M.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
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. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
sf_connor
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
indy_ian
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Uptown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Andrew Gray
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Colton James
literally same
19 upvotes
Amelia Ramos
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Serenity Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Melanie Walker
lol so true
10 upvotes
Nova
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Timothy C.
Bought a house here in 2024 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
4 upvotes
Claire L.
wish I knew this sooner
3 upvotes
Jose Young
Moved here from Denver about 2 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to housing market but Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Jonathan K.
lol so true
1 upvotes
Emilia Miller
noted, appreciate it
1 upvotes
Ian Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
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