Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $259,900 on average. Median household income is $59,121, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 13.4%, which is around average. Rent is about $1,074/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 11,521 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. 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 parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
8 upvotes
3 Replies
austinchef2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 55, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. underrated 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
37 upvotes
Isla Wright
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
30 upvotes
Adam Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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