Hello, Military spouse here. With a population of 1,853, Manteo is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 1,853 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
5 upvotes
7 Replies
Owen Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Leah Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 9 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
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. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. challenging 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
26 upvotes
Emma Peterson
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
19 upvotes
Isaiah M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 27, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. excellent 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
5 upvotes
Douglas R.
this is the way
3 upvotes
alexa_vibes
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Salt Lake City it's tough.
2 upvotes
Zoey
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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