Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 11.5%, which is around average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Ethan R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Eli N.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Logan M.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
36 upvotes
Katherine P.
yep
36 upvotes
Lydia P.
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Shirley A.
same here
30 upvotes
Lydia Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
27 upvotes
Parker Torres
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Gloria T.
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.
19 upvotes
Cora Wilson
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
11 upvotes
Hazel Evans
spot on
10 upvotes
Colton Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
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