Longtime lurker here, I've been here for 18 years and The median home value here is around $514,100, which is pretty steep. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
16 upvotes
15 Replies
Owen Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Jaxon
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Parker Price
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
34 upvotes
Evan Ramos
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Charlotte
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Wesley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. tough 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 Charlotte, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
26 upvotes
Douglas M.
I've lived in North for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Riley Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Ariana Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
21 upvotes
Jackson Scott
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Christian Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Ariana Morris
This.
8 upvotes
Aurora Gray
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
4 upvotes
Leonardo
I'm a lawyer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.