Been meaning to ask this. Median household income is $163,644, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $685,900 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Appreciate any input.
19 upvotes
12 Replies
Paisley White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 3 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Westside schools are pretty good. 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. Can feel isolated. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Hazel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Grayson M.
wish I knew this sooner
27 upvotes
Willow Nguyen
facts
21 upvotes
Declan B.
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
19 upvotes
Olivia
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Ellie Castillo
+1
12 upvotes
Scarlett Brown
Moved here from Denver about 6 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to safety but Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
katherine_runner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Scarlett R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Jean A.
nah I disagree
4 upvotes
Beverly M.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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