First post here. I'm a teacher here and Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $184,700, which is actually reasonable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes
6 Replies
Riley Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
36 upvotes
Owen Jones
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Isabella S.
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Sebastian Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
stlguy2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Audrey Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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