So, Born and raised here. Crime rate is something to consider -Kannapolis sits at 260.2 per 100K. Homes are going for about $245,500 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 56,470 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Thoughts? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
20 upvotes
26 Replies
Joseph
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
chicagoguy2020
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
37 upvotes
Hailey Gray
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's hit or miss.
37 upvotes
Brooks Moore
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
36 upvotes
Stella Thompson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
36 upvotes
Avery M.
I've lived in Highland for about 7 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 Denver, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong sense of community
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Christian D.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Melanie Taylor
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Alice C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Jose Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
David G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Diego about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Joseph Thomas
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Ella
I'm a sales manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Roy M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Fairview 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Madelyn Brown
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
28 upvotes
Weston M.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
23 upvotes
Jordan Alvarez
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Theodore Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Nathan T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Sarah Allen
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
19 upvotes
Weston Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Jayden Baker
yep
14 upvotes
Emilia Brooks
Moved here from Portland about 14 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to public transit but Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Stella Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Harold C.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Paisley Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
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