OK so I'm a college student here and Rent is about $2,218/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
Grace Long
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Marilyn R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
David Nguyen
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Aiden A.
lol so true
21 upvotes
Hazel P.
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Bennett H.
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Mary A.
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Landon A.
Saving this thread
12 upvotes
lake_ethan9
honestly same experience here
11 upvotes
Elijah
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
9 upvotes
John
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Jayden Mitchell
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
Victoria Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Brooklyn
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..