I'm retired and The median home value here is around $248,600, which is actually reasonable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I overthinking this? The weather takes some getting used to.
45 upvotes
27 Replies
Ian Brooks
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Atlanta it's pretty good.
40 upvotes
Kaylee Peterson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Logan Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Brielle
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
dcdude2023
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Sophie Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Addison Young
this is the way
34 upvotes
Waylon W.
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Allison C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Valentina
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Alice W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
26 upvotes
Ian G.
literally same
25 upvotes
Jack Mendoza
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
Anna Johnson
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
nycmama2024
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Dominic K.
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
Jonathan Green
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Nora J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Arianna W.
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Michael T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Declan C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Ariana
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Axel Cox
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Atlanta it's excellent.
4 upvotes
Savannah Adams
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
4 upvotes
Hannah Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston 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 better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Hunter Gray
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
1 upvotes
Weston C.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Fairview area are solid. Kids love it here.
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