Random thought, I've been here for 7 years and Average temperature is around 55--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $414,100 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,976 for rent here. Rent is about $1,976/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Mackenzie Hall
Came here for work and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor recreation is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Xavier Reed
preach
38 upvotes
Jose
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Mason Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Bennett Foster
Used to live on the North side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
26 upvotes
Camila Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. solid 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Gianna
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Julia Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Elizabeth
following this thread
17 upvotes
Mia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 31, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - 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 healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Ellie Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Judy K.
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Carson Brooks
This.
2 upvotes
coastal_arianna98
Moved here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
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