Alright, My partner and I are Median household income is $45,300, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $217,200 on average. The unemployment rate is 6.7%, which is concerning. It's a a mid-size city city with about 120K people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up.
35 upvotes
12 Replies
Logan Torres
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Janice N.
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
everly_native
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The food scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
indygirl2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Greyson B.
100%
30 upvotes
Evan Diaz
Moved here from Austin about 2 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to traffic but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
gianna_girl
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Elijah Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Diego about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Benjamin C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
19 upvotes
Gabriella
Totally agree!
17 upvotes
Isaac Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2019 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Nevaeh W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 26, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Greenfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
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