Random thought, Rent is about $1,955/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $866,200, which is pretty steep. It's a a small town city with about 15,998 people. Homes are going for about $866,200 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Low taxes
- Easy commute
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Not very walkable
- Limited dining options
- High property taxes
Would love some local perspective. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Abigail B.
thanks for sharing
40 upvotes
Brielle Gutierrez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Italian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
35 upvotes
Noah Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 33, moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - 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 pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Bella Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Ryan Morgan
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Raleigh it's underrated.
30 upvotes
Hailey Robinson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Lydia Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
27 upvotes
Lillian B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Mateo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Brooklyn C.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Ezekiel Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 32, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. better than expected 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 New York, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
10 upvotes
Daniel Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Scarlett Young
been saying this for years
5 upvotes
Emma Foster
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
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