Been meaning to ask this. I'm originally from Cincinnati and The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. It's a a small town city with about 20,707 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
7 Replies
Piper Walker
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
kcliving2025
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
32 upvotes
Ezra Jackson
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
axel_soul
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Charlotte
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
23 upvotes
Parker Long
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 5 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts 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 improving. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Jean P.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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