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Noah Phillips housing

Rent vs buy in Edinburg -what makes sense?

First post here. We're a young couple and Household incomes average around $57,789 in Edinburg. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What would you do? The suburbs are where most families end up.
16 upvotes

10 Replies

Paisley R.
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.

I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
wild_mia59
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.

Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.

People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Sarah R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
36 upvotes
Gianna Myers
+1
27 upvotes
Pamela S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Mason Collins
big facts right here
18 upvotes
Arianna Robinson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Joshua Miller
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
14 upvotes
Brian C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
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