Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 144K people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
33 upvotes
11 Replies
Chloe R.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Kinsley W.
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is average. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Bruce J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Alice Collins
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Delilah
I'm a contractor and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
mesafan2024
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Harper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 2 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Naomi Bennett
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
5 upvotes
Jayden Brooks
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
2 upvotes
Jackson L.
haha yep pretty much
0 upvotes
Jonathan Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Atlanta about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
All Countries
