Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and It's a a smaller city city with about 35,751 people. With a population of 35,751, Franklin is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. 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. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
25 upvotes
30 Replies
William Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, 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.
39 upvotes
Austin E.
seconding this
39 upvotes
Dylan Thomas
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Hailey Ortiz
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Roman Adams
interesting, hadn't considered that
38 upvotes
William Peterson
Used to live on the South side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Noah R.
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
dcvibes2024
good to know, thanks
32 upvotes
Carson Lee
following this thread
32 upvotes
Cameron Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Elena Cox
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
Hunter Harris
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
29 upvotes
Victoria Wood
Moved here from Tampa about 11 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Dominic
good to know, thanks
26 upvotes
chicago_adrian
spot on
26 upvotes
orlandolife2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Pittsburgh it's hit or miss.
24 upvotes
William Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 36, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Ella Kelly
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Raleigh it's decent.
21 upvotes
minneapolispapa2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
declan_walker
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
nathan_native
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 57, moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. solid 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
17 upvotes
Paisley T.
interesting, hadn't considered that
16 upvotes
Henry H.
I work in engineering here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Eva Miller
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Axel Miller
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's tough.
7 upvotes
Madeline Kim
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
3 upvotes
Sebastian C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
sebastian_rider
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 39, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
1 upvotes
Ian
Used to live on the North side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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