Curious what people think. Born and raised here. Rent is about $2,028/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 73°F, so it's warm year-round. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Luna White
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
40 upvotes
Ruby Lopez
lol so true
40 upvotes
Ella Phillips
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is excellent in most areas.
39 upvotes
Brielle Hill
I've lived in North for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Luca Young
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Sofia Brown
been saying this for years
33 upvotes
Emilia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Alexa Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in West and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. surprisingly good 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
Lucy Cruz
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Maple Ridge area are average. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
raleigh_elijah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Kelly R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
21 upvotes
Aria Collins
I work in construction here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is improving. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
phoenix_ellie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 1 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
19 upvotes
Matthew C.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Avery Morris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
nyclocal2020
hard disagree but ok
16 upvotes
Leah R.
literally same
15 upvotes
Jordan J.
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 11 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails 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. Limited public transit options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Carson H.
it depends on the neighborhood
8 upvotes
Dominic Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Stella
lol so true
6 upvotes
adrian_guy
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Emilia T.
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Cooper Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 25, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
2 upvotes
Logan Lopez
same here
2 upvotes
Asher Patel
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor recreation is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
0 upvotes
Bennett Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
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