Alright, I'm a 29-year-old electrician and Rent is about $1,536/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Anthony M.
I've lived in South for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Dominic Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Lydia James
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Gabriella Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Michael C.
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Jordan Rogers
this is the way
32 upvotes
Zoey Gonzalez
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Catherine M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Reagan C.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
16 upvotes
Axel Ross
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Thai places. it exceeded my expectations.
15 upvotes
Jackson Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
15 upvotes
Hannah
honestly same experience here
15 upvotes
Isla Richardson
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
4 upvotes
nashville_stella
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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