Random thought, I'm a college student here and Median household income is $143,796, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned? The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Mackenzie Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
32 upvotes
Easton Martinez
yep
30 upvotes
Chloe
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 56, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
26 upvotes
Hazel
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Elena Cox
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
21 upvotes
Axel Ross
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
lucy_native
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Elijah Kelly
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
12 upvotes
urban_silas80
great question, following
3 upvotes
Austin Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
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