Hi all, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $43,472 in Lake Kerr. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this?
13 upvotes
10 Replies
Liam P.
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Ethan King
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Olivia Stewart
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. school system used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
32 upvotes
Michael Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Maya Clark
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
jacob_guy
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Ezra M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
19 upvotes
Ruby Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
18 upvotes
Owen Robinson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
17 upvotes
Jace Davis
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..