Sign In Register
Xavier Johnson living

Honest thoughts on life in Florence

Been meaning to ask this. I'm originally from Tucson and The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $922 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Should I be concerned? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes

6 Replies

Grace Kim
preach
40 upvotes
Elizabeth Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Gianna Ward
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
Zoey Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Minneapolis about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.

Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options

Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.

Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Zoey Ruiz
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Sunset area are underrated. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Miles O.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 43, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
9 upvotes
← Back to Florence Community