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Waylon
jobs
Job hunting in Mount Carmel -tips?
Alright, I work in real estate and Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Kayden Hughes
I've lived in Westside for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Parker E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
retail is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
retail is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Dylan Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Mia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. tough 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. tough 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
31 upvotes
Olivia B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Lucas Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Uptown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Uptown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Waylon Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Sofia Cook
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
David Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Jonathan J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Everett Anderson
accurate
9 upvotes
Avery Adams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Liam Morales
I'm a software engineer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
Ezekiel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
0 upvotes