Hi all, Just moved here 10 months ago and Median household income is $55,339, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $296,400 on average. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, which is about average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Am I overthinking this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
58 upvotes
14 Replies
Valentina Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
36 upvotes
Kaylee
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Easton Scott
as a local I can confirm
21 upvotes
Sofia Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Julia Long
bump
20 upvotes
Dominic Lopez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Roy R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Delilah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. East schools are tough. 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 high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Nicholas Ortiz
couldn't agree more
8 upvotes
Landon
I've lived in Uptown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The housing market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
real_emma90
I've lived in Old Town for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Jeremiah Cox
spot on
5 upvotes
Allison Torres
big facts right here
4 upvotes
raised_aiden55
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
