Random thought, Just moved here 17 months ago and Poverty rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Matthew J.
I've lived in North for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Avery Rivera
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
40 upvotes
Waylon Taylor
Moved here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to safety but Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Julian Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
35 upvotes
Thomas Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 51, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
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. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. excellent 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
34 upvotes
Eli Hill
Moved here from Austin about 8 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to school system but Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Adam Hall
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
raleigh_aria
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Jacob Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
orlando_declan
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
Carson Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 44, moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
14 upvotes
Joseph Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Tampa 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 Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Quinn S.
lol so true
8 upvotes
David Lewis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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