Longtime lurker here, I'm single, late 20s, and The median home value here is around $372,400, which seems about average. You can expect to pay around $1,705 for rent here. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. Thanks for reading. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
11 Replies
Jayden Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 28, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Amelia S.
bump
27 upvotes
Aaron C.
This.
22 upvotes
Ezra Jimenez
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
14 upvotes
delilah_native
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
13 upvotes
Daniel Price
I work in hospitality here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Piper T.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
12 upvotes
Christian Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to New York it's hit or miss.
10 upvotes
Douglas R.
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
9 upvotes
Roman Cooper
I work in healthcare here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Audrey Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
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