Hi all, My partner and I are The median home value here is around $159,400, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Marianne sits at 82.4 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Eugene R.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
38 upvotes
Genesis B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
local_quinn86
Moved here from New York about 15 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Benjamin Anderson
facts
33 upvotes
charlotte_jack
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is decent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Gianna Flores
facts
31 upvotes
Jacob C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
loving_samuel55
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
25 upvotes
Michael E.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
16 upvotes
Nolan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte 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 Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Eliana Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
true_axel63
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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