Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a small town city with about 13,765 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
4 upvotes
9 Replies
Rylee Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Aurora Parker
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
36 upvotes
Jesse L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
34 upvotes
la_nicholas
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
27 upvotes
Evelyn
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
21 upvotes
Matthew Phillips
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
19 upvotes
Jacob King
I've lived in South for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Maverick P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Raleigh it's underrated.
12 upvotes
Luke Turner
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Portland it's solid.
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