Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $1,404/month for a decent place. Median household income is $78,467, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 7.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Henry
bump
40 upvotes
Carol R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Matthew Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Ruby Smith
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
34 upvotes
Asher Ruiz
seconding this
30 upvotes
Aaron Davis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Madelyn W.
lol so true
29 upvotes
Skylar Collins
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
Camila R.
+1
17 upvotes
Camila Nguyen
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Naomi H.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Stella Long
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Peyton Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
6 upvotes
Hailey B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 44, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in East and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
5 upvotes
Melanie Lee
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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