Curious what people think. Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,011/month for a decent place. Median household income is $54,246, which feels on the lower side for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Hannah P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Randy P.
glad someone said it
37 upvotes
Eleanor Peterson
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
wild_melanie97
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Anna Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Diego 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 underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Emma Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
happy_everett95
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Aubrey Hernandez
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
orlandolife2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Pine Hills and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
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