Rent is about $1,058/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,058 for rent here. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
24 Replies
Violet B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Alexa G.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
34 upvotes
Brielle C.
I work in consulting here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Vivian Murphy
seconding this
29 upvotes
Hannah M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Lucas Taylor
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Naomi M.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
23 upvotes
Luke Anderson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is average in most areas.
20 upvotes
Benjamin Williams
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Bradley S.
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Clara Hall
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
16 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
Moved here from New York about 13 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to community vibe but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Austin Johnson
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Elijah
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much established but now it's challenging.
14 upvotes
dominic_papa
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Daniel
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
Anna Howard
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Dominic Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Daniel D.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Aubrey Phillips
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Joseph C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Sadie Martin
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
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