I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $1,531 for rent here. Homes are going for about $267,800 on average. Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a small town city with about 10,457 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Should I be concerned? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Everett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 6 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Reagan Robinson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Melanie Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Abigail Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 3 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Aaron Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Stella Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. solid 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
16 upvotes
Ryan L.
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
Ava Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
14 upvotes
Parker Davis
I've lived in West for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
- The food scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Hailey Cruz
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 nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
9 upvotes
Anna King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
8 upvotes
Eli Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Bennett
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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