Curious what people think. The median home value here is around $345,600, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. TIA! The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
21 upvotes
18 Replies
Addison L.
This.
40 upvotes
Aaliyah N.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Downtown area are improving. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Jonathan Peterson
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Ethan Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Easton Hernandez
spot on
34 upvotes
Naomi S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Waylon Reyes
literally same
24 upvotes
Adam L.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
23 upvotes
Paisley Perez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Piper Allen
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
22 upvotes
Clara Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
16 upvotes
Nova R.
yeah no that's not right
15 upvotes
Jameson King
glad someone said it
14 upvotes
Jesse L.
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
Charlotte Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
8 upvotes
Bella Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 44, moved here 1 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Friendly community, easy to meet people
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Ashley O.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
7 upvotes
Harper S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.