OK so I've been here for 1 years and Poverty rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
11 Replies
Cooper Cruz
Moved here from Miami about 3 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to community vibe but Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Madeline Taylor
exactly what I was thinking
22 upvotes
Anna Morris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Dominic Richardson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Alexa
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Nolan Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Serenity
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
7 upvotes
Thomas Wilson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
6 upvotes
Wyatt White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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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