Alright, I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
23 upvotes
16 Replies
Jace A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
38 upvotes
Claire Kim
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
38 upvotes
Genesis B.
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Caleb Jackson
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
33 upvotes
Daniel Jackson
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Nicholas Green
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Elizabeth Ramirez
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Paisley Sanchez
exactly what I was thinking
27 upvotes
Eva Gonzalez
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
17 upvotes
Emily K.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Greyson Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
9 upvotes
Hudson J.
I've lived in Midtown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Kevin S.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Ann W.
hard disagree but ok
1 upvotes
Naomi
I work in engineering here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is tough. Definitely worth checking out..
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