So, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Florence sits at 1,187.6 per 100K. Poverty rate is 12.9%, which is around average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to.
7 upvotes
9 Replies
Liam R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
sfwalker2021
100%
32 upvotes
Julia Jones
preach
28 upvotes
Aiden White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Eastside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
21 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Gabriel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 36, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Westside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
6 upvotes
Ezra Perez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Minneapolis it's better than expected.
6 upvotes
Carson G.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
1 upvotes
everly_native
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great seafood places. I love the pace of life here.
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