Longtime lurker here, The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
18 Replies
Madeline Bennett
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor recreation is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Eliana W.
Moved here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to school system but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Savannah Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 47, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
38 upvotes
Riley
underrated comment
35 upvotes
jaxlife2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 56, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
31 upvotes
Roman Taylor
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
Cameron
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Bennett Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in West and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
25 upvotes
Daniel Lopez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Brooklyn Watson
as a local I can confirm
22 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 41, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
18 upvotes
Luca Ross
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
17 upvotes
savannah_walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
13 upvotes
Hailey Castillo
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
Ethan P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Kai S.
same here
4 upvotes
Isabelle K.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great seafood places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.