Random thought, I'm a teacher here and You can expect to pay around $1,060 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 5,633 people. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Any advice would be great. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
tulsaheart2025
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Abigail H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Dallas about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Leo Ruiz
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Maya E.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Aaron Young
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
happy_eliana31
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Maya T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Sophia Chavez
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Harper Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Addison Rodriguez
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Cameron Jones
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
Everly M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Highland and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.