Hello, I'm a remote worker and It's a a smaller city city with about 58,882 people. Homes are going for about $243,300 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? Cheers. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
30 upvotes
3 Replies
Skylar T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
35 upvotes
Michelle C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.