Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. You can expect to pay around $1,207 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
10 Replies
Jack C.
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Cora Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Fairview and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
30 upvotes
Matthew Anderson
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Ella
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Dominic Alvarez
I'm a writer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Leonardo Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 45, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
19 upvotes
Gerald Y.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Brielle Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Austin Anderson
I'm a sales manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
native_nathan14
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Miami about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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