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desert_brooklyn29 moving

Considering Foley vs Austin -help me decide

The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $67,346, which feels about average for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes

11 Replies

Hunter Bailey
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Dominic Price
I'm a data analyst 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.
24 upvotes
Stella C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is challenging in most areas.
22 upvotes
Quinn Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 32, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
19 upvotes
Chloe Ramirez
bump
19 upvotes
Leo W.
thanks for sharing
15 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.

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.
15 upvotes
Christian Phillips
same here
11 upvotes
Gabriella Wright
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
9 upvotes
Nova Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in South and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
4 upvotes
Isabella W.
literally same
4 upvotes
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