Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
6 upvotes
9 Replies
Oliver Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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 housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
columbuschef2021
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Jacob Clark
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Brooks Moore
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Beverly P.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Catherine R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. challenging 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
10 upvotes
Thomas Ross
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Everett R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
2 upvotes
Xavier Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Portland about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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