Been meaning to ask this. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $990 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Should I be concerned? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
30 upvotes
11 Replies
Naomi Cook
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Charlotte Richardson
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Serenity B.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Pine Hills area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Declan Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in West and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. underrated 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 Miami, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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
Elijah B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Austin it's underrated.
18 upvotes
serenity_chef
seconding this
17 upvotes
desert_declan41
Bought a house here in 2015 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Janet C.
lol so true
11 upvotes
Oliver B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
raised_nolan58
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 56, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
6 upvotes
Ethan Ramirez
Used to live on the South side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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