Longtime lurker here, I'm a teacher here and Homes are going for about $291,300 on average. Median household income is $88,534, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Bradley G.
+1
35 upvotes
Cooper Peterson
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Robert Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 34, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
28 upvotes
Asher King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 49, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Downtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. surprisingly 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
28 upvotes
Claire Sanders
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Aiden Lewis
bump
18 upvotes
Addison Howard
great question, following
17 upvotes
Ezra Hill
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
15 upvotes
Emilia Wright
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Eli Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Everett Turner
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Declan
literally same
6 upvotes
Daniel Clark
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
6 upvotes
Hazel Hall
thanks for sharing
0 upvotes
Samuel Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. decent 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
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