I'm originally from Austin and It's a a small town city with about 15,670 people. With a population of 15,670, Hillcrest Heights is a small town. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any help is appreciated. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Cora M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
37 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
37 upvotes
Roman Jones
bump
36 upvotes
Jaxon Long
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Scarlett Myers
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much stable but now it's challenging.
24 upvotes
Roman Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. excellent 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
23 upvotes
Jack R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
23 upvotes
Alan W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Raleigh it's underrated.
14 upvotes
Chloe Jones
I've lived in Midtown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Mia J.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
10 upvotes
Everett White
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Isaiah H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
5 upvotes
Melanie R.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
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