You can expect to pay around $1,368 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What are your go-to spots? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
9 Replies
Hunter Hughes
I work in hospitality here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
33 upvotes
Luke C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Sadie Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Houston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Arianna R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Camila
+1
15 upvotes
Caroline G.
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The walkability is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Jace Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
5 upvotes
Serenity Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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