Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Worth the trade-offs? The suburbs are where most families end up.
10 upvotes
5 Replies
Hazel Jimenez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Cameron Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Old Town and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
33 upvotes
Valentina
I work in legal here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is average. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Bella Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Pittsburgh it's solid.
20 upvotes
Nathan L.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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