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Isabella Long
moving
Moving to Nowthen for work -advice?
Hey folks, I work in manufacturing and It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What would you do?
11 upvotes
6 Replies
cool_noah73
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Nolan Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Raleigh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Quinn Perez
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Fairview area are solid. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Jayden Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
8 upvotes
Katherine B.
Used to live on the West side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
8 upvotes
Lydia Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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