Hey folks, The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thanks in advance! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
ladude2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 26, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - 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 cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
36 upvotes
Bennett Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Austin about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
liam_guy
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
Camila M.
facts
19 upvotes
Kaylee Cruz
couldn't agree more
14 upvotes
Aiden S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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