OK so We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,089/month for a decent place. Median household income is $53,950, which feels on the lower side for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Appreciate any input.
6 upvotes
20 Replies
James Thompson
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Ava Rivera
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
James
same here
35 upvotes
true_harper78
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Joshua Gonzalez
seconding this
31 upvotes
Olivia Cox
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is decent in most areas.
26 upvotes
Joe P.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Sebastian Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 13 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
23 upvotes
Hannah Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Hazel Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - 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 weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
22 upvotes
Arianna W.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Everly Robinson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Melanie Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
10 upvotes
Leah Cox
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
Aaron Y.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Savannah Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Claire
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.