Alright, I'm single, late 30s, and Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I wrong here? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Ethan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Ruby S.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Brooks C.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The food scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Theodore
I work in finance here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Ariana Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Fairview) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
21 upvotes
Angel Diaz
same here
19 upvotes
Oliver Gutierrez
I'm a data analyst and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
John G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Jeremiah Collins
haha yep pretty much
8 upvotes
Logan Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
nycmama2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
urban_abigail11
bump
3 upvotes
phoenixlocal2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
oakland_aubrey
Came here for family and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The walkability is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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