Curious what people think. Military spouse here. It's a a small town city with about 10,473 people. Rent is about $1,598/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Worth the trade-offs? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
8 upvotes
6 Replies
Miles Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
chill_gianna86
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
seattle_aria
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Hazel Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Roman Hernandez
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Eli Harris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to LA it's underrated.
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