Hey folks, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $320,300, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
20 Replies
Clara H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Fairview and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - 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 community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
38 upvotes
Piper
this is the way
36 upvotes
Jaxon Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
raised_joshua60
I work in consulting here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Reyes
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Elena G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 32, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
30 upvotes
Matthew T.
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Parker P.
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Ruby G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
21 upvotes
Emilia Brooks
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Stella Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Andrew B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Sofia Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
15 upvotes
tucson_matthew
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Samuel E.
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Caleb Jones
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Jaxon Scott
interesting, hadn't considered that
8 upvotes
aaliyah_life
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
0 upvotes
Miles Lee
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
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