Alright, I'm a 45-year-old pharmacist and You can expect to pay around $858 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Gallup sits at 1,992.3 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Joseph Rogers
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Pine Hills area are excellent. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Julian M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 58, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
31 upvotes
Dorothy W.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Lucas Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 45, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
22 upvotes
Sophie Hernandez
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Andrew Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Waylon Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Cooper Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..