OK so Rent is about $1,347/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I wrong here?
8 upvotes
27 Replies
Caroline P.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Maverick Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
39 upvotes
Susan E.
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Camila Smith
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Mateo Morales
honestly same experience here
36 upvotes
Sebastian Ward
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Jeremiah Harris
Moved here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Hunter Walker
+1
28 upvotes
Kinsley Scott
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much developing but now it's average.
28 upvotes
Joshua C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Connor Green
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 Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Josiah P.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
23 upvotes
Everly Hill
seconding this
19 upvotes
Leonardo A.
as a local I can confirm
14 upvotes
Christian Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Keith T.
spot on
12 upvotes
Aria Ruiz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Oliver Peterson
underrated comment
11 upvotes
Carson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (The Heights) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
11 upvotes
oaklandmind2026
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
10 upvotes
Adeline
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
9 upvotes
Valentina Castillo
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Lydia Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 52, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
8 upvotes
Lydia Garcia
preach
7 upvotes
David Morgan
preach
4 upvotes
Ariana Nguyen
accurate
1 upvotes
Genesis
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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