Alright, Poverty rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $186,438, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
2 upvotes
4 Replies
Genesis B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
raised_joshua60
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
18 upvotes
Everly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Marilyn C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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