Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $1,614 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Let me know your thoughts. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
6 Replies
Reagan Wilson
spot on
39 upvotes
Mason G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from New York about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Hazel Castillo
I work in engineering here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Santiago Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Fairview and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
26 upvotes
indy_grayson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Xavier Reed
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much stable but now it's underrated.
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