Random thought, I'm originally from Dallas and The median home value here is around $196,200, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $68,508 in Florence. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thanks!
12 upvotes
28 Replies
Natalie Cooper
I work in manufacturing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Benjamin Mitchell
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Silas Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Sadie Thomas
This.
36 upvotes
Waylon Rivera
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Jayden
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Jackson Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
30 upvotes
Cooper Morales
accurate
26 upvotes
Silas
100%
25 upvotes
Edward P.
+1
24 upvotes
Hudson White
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Angel Green
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is improving. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Serenity Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
James
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Luca Lopez
honestly same experience here
15 upvotes
Andrew Rivera
as a local I can confirm
15 upvotes
phillysoul2021
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Riverside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Willow L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Luna White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Ellie Ramirez
Moved here from Denver about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to nightlife but Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Emmett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Eli C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Jack G.
Moved here from New York about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to housing market but No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Serenity Morris
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Maverick Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Willow Green
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
Isaac
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
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