Hello, I'm a 49-year-old chef and Homes are going for about $990,100 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? Cheers. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
2 upvotes
24 Replies
leah_life
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
40 upvotes
Everett
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Jayden Adams
I work in education here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Hannah G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Kinsley Torres
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
35 upvotes
Hudson
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Katherine Smith
+1
29 upvotes
Christian Gray
not my experience at all
26 upvotes
Elena
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Silas Cook
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Meadowbrook area are average. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Cameron Bennett
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Maple Ridge area are average. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Avery Rivera
Bought a house here in 2015 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
20 upvotes
Lydia M.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Nathan Foster
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Charlotte it's challenging.
13 upvotes
Harper Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Matthew Brown
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Piper Morris
Moved here from Miami about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Oliver Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. improving 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
7 upvotes
Ariana Cooper
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Luna Wright
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Mackenzie Bailey
facts
4 upvotes
Hudson A.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
3 upvotes
Jackson Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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