I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
wild_levi57
great question, following
36 upvotes
kc_henry
great question, following
32 upvotes
Jaxon Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Liam Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Aurora L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Miles Gomez
wish I knew this sooner
27 upvotes
Amelia Ruiz
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Southern places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Carter Castillo
Moved here from Houston about 9 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to nightlife but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Amelia Gutierrez
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
16 upvotes
Olivia
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Hazel
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
13 upvotes
Nathan Foster
I'm a nurse and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Addison Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 26, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
6 upvotes
Josiah
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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