Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $326,600 on average. Rent is about $2,342/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
1 upvotes
6 Replies
Liam Hall
preach
36 upvotes
Waylon Martinez
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Audrey Gutierrez
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Aaron C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 32, moved here 3 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Dallas, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
29 upvotes
Nora Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
houstonheart2025
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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