Hey everyone, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $129,100, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Evansville sits at 612.6 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes
16 Replies
dallas_aiden
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
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 pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Stella Gonzalez
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Jaxon C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
32 upvotes
Isaac
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
tulsa_mia
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Isabella Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
29 upvotes
Santiago T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Chloe Ward
following this thread
24 upvotes
Weston Castillo
Moved here from New York about 4 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Leo Carter
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Maple Ridge area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Sarah Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 5 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. better than expected 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
10 upvotes
Paisley Martinez
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Ezra Gray
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..