Hi all, I'm single, late 40s, and Rent is about $1,423/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Any advice would be great. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
1 upvotes
21 Replies
Jordan Smith
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
isaiah_local
100%
34 upvotes
Leah
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Olivia Williams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Lily P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Ruby C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
sdwalker2021
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Lori J.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Eva Rivera
This.
25 upvotes
Audrey Martin
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Brenda D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Aurora S.
seconding this
22 upvotes
Adrian Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Luna Robinson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
16 upvotes
Lillian White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Ella K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
wild_kaylee6
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
11 upvotes
Zoey T.
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Noah Phillips
spot on
9 upvotes
Cooper Morris
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
9 upvotes
Ruby B.
Moved here from Chicago about 13 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to housing market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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