Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 6.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Four Corners sits at 131.6 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Should I be concerned? The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
17 upvotes
16 Replies
Isla
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Allison Young
bump
35 upvotes
Maverick Ramos
bump
35 upvotes
Ella
spot on
31 upvotes
Lucas Cook
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Carter Martin
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Isaac Ortiz
+1
29 upvotes
Ethan M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 57, moved here 11 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
27 upvotes
Ariana
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
Isaiah Lewis
honestly same experience here
23 upvotes
Jacob Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Naomi
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Willow Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Luke Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Emilia Mendoza
I work in real estate here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Everly T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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