First post here. Born and raised here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 245K people. Crime rate is something to consider — Garland sits at 302.1 per 100K. Homes are going for about $248,900 on average. Household incomes average around $74,717 in Garland. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Should I be concerned? It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up.
35 upvotes
28 Replies
Hudson Lee
Moved here from LA about 8 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Maya Clark
I'm a project manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Clara Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
38 upvotes
Leo T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Owen Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
36 upvotes
Ella Lee
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
portlandlife2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
minneapolispapa2021
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Ryan Long
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Madelyn Cruz
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Reagan Thomas
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Greyson Wilson
This.
21 upvotes
Isaiah Moore
honestly same experience here
21 upvotes
Waylon Reyes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Ruby Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Downtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Brooks Wright
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is average in most areas.
18 upvotes
Victoria Mendoza
underrated comment
17 upvotes
cincydude2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
loving_sophie40
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The weather is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Connor
Moved here from New York about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Mackenzie Clark
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Jace
Totally agree!
11 upvotes
Jaxon Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Isaiah Nguyen
I've lived in Uptown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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