Curious what people think. You can expect to pay around $2,180 for rent here. Median household income is $122,229, which feels pretty solid for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Should I be concerned?
35 upvotes
17 Replies
Aiden Myers
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great seafood places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
39 upvotes
Madelyn Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 28, moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Westside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
38 upvotes
Ariana Hughes
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Isla White
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Allison
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Elizabeth
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Axel White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes 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 solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Willow Jimenez
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
raleighvibes2025
Moved here from Austin about 10 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Eleanor Anderson
Moved here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to food scene but No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Landon Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
orlando_eli
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
Jordan Bennett
thanks for sharing
14 upvotes
Dylan M.
I work in real estate here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Bennett L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in The Heights and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Seattle, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
7 upvotes
Grace T.
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
Chloe Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
All Countries
