Anyone else feel this way? Homes are going for about $609,700 on average. Rent is about $1,562/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Durango sits at 389.2 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Has anyone dealt with this? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Gabriella Martinez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Dominic
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Thomas Rogers
Moved here from Charlotte about 1 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to traffic but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Ezra Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Chloe E.
facts
27 upvotes
Levi Watson
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Delilah Alvarez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Quinn G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 57, moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
22 upvotes
Willow Phillips
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
Sophie Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 8 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Jaxon H.
same here
4 upvotes
Cora Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Violet T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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