Hi all, My partner and I are It's a a smaller city city with about 49,498 people. Homes are going for about $712,100 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Should I be concerned?
14 upvotes
8 Replies
Brooklyn Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Liam J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Elena G.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
Bennett Foster
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
11 upvotes
Shirley G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 15 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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 challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Carson Miller
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Julian Reyes
haha yep pretty much
6 upvotes
cool_christian73
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.