So, Median household income is $183,466, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Should I be concerned?
13 upvotes
11 Replies
Audrey G.
this is the way
39 upvotes
Connor W.
yeah no that's not right
39 upvotes
Alice Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 36, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
38 upvotes
Serenity E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
living_gabriella11
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Allison Reed
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much developing but now it's decent.
24 upvotes
Aaliyah Sanders
following this thread
20 upvotes
Michael
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
11 upvotes
Ariana Hill
couldn't agree more
5 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Levi R.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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