Hey folks, The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great.
17 upvotes
18 Replies
Oliver Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
40 upvotes
Jordan P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Scott M.
seconding this
34 upvotes
Eva Ward
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Clara
Bought a house here in 2015 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Naomi Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Kenneth R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Highland) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
19 upvotes
Riley
+1
19 upvotes
wild_aaron73
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Hudson Howard
thanks for sharing
18 upvotes
Kai Reyes
Bought a house here in 2023 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
16 upvotes
Jaxon B.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Southern places. it was the best decision I ever made.
12 upvotes
Nicholas Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Isabella W.
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
Joseph F.
Came here for weather and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The nightlife is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Oliver Hill
This.
6 upvotes
Mateo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
2 upvotes
Samuel Diaz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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