First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What are your go-to spots? The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
Wesley Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 49, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
33 upvotes
Alice Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Raleigh it's underrated.
32 upvotes
Gianna Lee
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Pittsburgh it's improving.
27 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much stable but now it's better than expected.
12 upvotes
Easton T.
I've lived in Uptown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Virginia K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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