Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $105,535, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 6.0%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited dining options
- Poor road conditions
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Not enough green space
Looking forward to hearing from you all. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
3 upvotes
29 Replies
Jacob Collins
spot on
40 upvotes
Adrian Cooper
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cultural scene. 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 job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Weston Long
I've lived in Fairview for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Henry Ross
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
36 upvotes
Isaiah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 9 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Cora Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Leonardo Jimenez
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Ariana R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Levi Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Sarah Morgan
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Jaxon Cox
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Westside area are solid. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Justin F.
100%
29 upvotes
Nolan Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Charlotte about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Caroline
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Jacob L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Levi Price
I've lived in Old Town for about 9 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 Francisco, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
lucas_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 2 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Anna Lopez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Lillian H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
20 upvotes
Hannah Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Aubrey Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Nashville it's better than expected.
13 upvotes
Jace Y.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
11 upvotes
Cooper Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. excellent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
6 upvotes
Julia Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
3 upvotes
Hannah T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is tough in most areas.
2 upvotes
Nathan Morales
big facts right here
2 upvotes
Robert Y.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
1 upvotes
Hunter Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
0 upvotes
Sadie Martin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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