Anyone else feel this way? Just moved here 11 months ago and Median household income is $51,277, which feels on the lower side for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? Thanks in advance! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
30 upvotes
21 Replies
Jaxon Hill
I work in healthcare here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Everly Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 55, moved here 8 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
38 upvotes
Santiago B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 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 dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Declan Morgan
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Isla Cook
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
32 upvotes
Grayson Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
32 upvotes
Caleb Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 37, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
32 upvotes
Everett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Megan S.
this is the way
23 upvotes
Jace Harris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
23 upvotes
Emily
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
Dominic Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 8 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. North 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Ezra Y.
thanks for sharing
12 upvotes
Gianna Phillips
it depends on the neighborhood
12 upvotes
Christian Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Jordan Ross
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
8 upvotes
Asher K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
5 upvotes
Eli Flores
wish I knew this sooner
3 upvotes
born_luke37
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Cora M.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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