Considering Johns Creek vs Houston -help me decide
Curious what people think. Born and raised here. Median household income is $160,185, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $2,173 for rent here. Poverty rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? Thanks for reading. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
25 upvotes
30 Replies
Beverly M.
spot on
38 upvotes
Tyler O.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 14 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Rebecca M.
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Aaron Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Logan C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
30 upvotes
sdrider2021
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
Hudson Kim
following this thread
26 upvotes
Connor Green
+1
26 upvotes
Grayson Patel
I'm a social worker and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Reagan Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely solid and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
23 upvotes
Emma Lee
same here
23 upvotes
loving_jameson94
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
Leo
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Cora M.
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
great question, following
19 upvotes
Sarah Sanders
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Willow C.
+1
16 upvotes
sd_wesley
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
Kimberly J.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Nathan Cook
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Paisley Sanchez
this is the way
15 upvotes
Levi King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Chicago about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Anna King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
13 upvotes
Arianna Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Isaac
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Aria
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 8 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Melanie Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Dallas about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Ruby Myers
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Madison S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Luca White
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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