So, Poverty rate is 14.5%, which is around average. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $198,500 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 28,990 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
20 upvotes
15 Replies
Evelyn Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
spot on
33 upvotes
Mackenzie Watson
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Grace Kim
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Mason Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
26 upvotes
Riley
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Boston it's surprisingly good.
25 upvotes
Clara Gonzalez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Sophia Morales
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
23 upvotes
Dominic Morgan
I'm a HR manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Alexa G.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Reagan Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Skylar Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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