Considering North Richland Hills vs San Francisco -help me decide
Hey everyone, I relocated for work and Is this normal for North Richland Hills? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
21 upvotes
23 Replies
Piper Sanchez
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Kai Flores
100%
35 upvotes
Benjamin White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Midtown 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Gabriel Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
32 upvotes
Valentina Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
32 upvotes
Ann K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Downtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Matthew King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
miamiheart2020
I work in healthcare here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
living_nevaeh96
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Harper Long
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Emily Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 34, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, 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. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
18 upvotes
Noah C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Christian Martinez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
cincy_dylan
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
urban_emily61
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Allison Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Samuel Sanchez
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
George T.
I've lived in West for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Zoey H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Harper Price
accurate
6 upvotes
Grayson L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
5 upvotes
Ella Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
oaklandkid2024
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
All Countries
