First post here. Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,465/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Manchester sits at 600.6 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
51 upvotes
25 Replies
austin_dude
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 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in The Heights and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. average 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
38 upvotes
Alexander Evans
great question, following
37 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 25, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
35 upvotes
Hailey M.
Moved here from Tampa about 5 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Waylon F.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Stephen W.
yep
31 upvotes
Colton
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Sofia Patel
This.
27 upvotes
Harper Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Elizabeth Davis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
22 upvotes
Oliver Taylor
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
dcgirl2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Arianna Carter
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Jordan Nguyen
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Elijah H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
18 upvotes
Charlotte R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 10 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Lucas Miller
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Olivia C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
16 upvotes
Katherine Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
15 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Bennett James
Moved here from Denver about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Madelyn
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Emmett Cruz
Totally agree!
6 upvotes
Carson Turner
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
indypapa2023
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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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