Anyone else feel this way? I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $1,884,200 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Nevaeh Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Adrian P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 29, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Lucas R.
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Adrian W.
bump
33 upvotes
Paisley Johnson
Moved here from Boston about 4 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to public transit but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Violet Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
23 upvotes
Sadie Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
20 upvotes
Lucy Wright
lol so true
19 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Lydia Torres
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
Elena Phillips
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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