Curious what people think. Rent is about $1,432/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Worth the trade-offs? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
23 upvotes
28 Replies
local_lucas59
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Eva
facts
38 upvotes
river_vivian4
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Joshua W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
David Perez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
31 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Jack Lopez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Josiah B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Jonathan Walker
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great seafood places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
27 upvotes
Santiago Y.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
nolan_soul
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Santiago Lopez
lol so true
25 upvotes
Michael C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
columbusheart2024
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Robert W.
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Miles Lee
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Genesis Cooper
literally same
13 upvotes
Nolan W.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Josiah Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to San Francisco it's tough.
12 upvotes
Betty W.
I work in construction here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Camila Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Harold J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
5 upvotes
Hailey Howard
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Jacob Clark
big facts right here
3 upvotes
Angel King
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
2 upvotes
Mason B.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Isaiah Young
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
0 upvotes
Isla Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
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