Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,088 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience? Thanks!
27 upvotes
15 Replies
Johnny W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Homeless population growing 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.
38 upvotes
Naomi Jackson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is improving in most areas.
38 upvotes
Mateo M.
I'm a HR manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Jerry M.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's excellent.
30 upvotes
Jacob Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
tampa_jose
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Amelia W.
Moved here from LA about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to dating scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Nora K.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
25 upvotes
Victoria Moore
same here
22 upvotes
Leo R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 better than expected. 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Ezekiel T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
hailey_heart
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Reagan Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
tampa_piper
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in North area are excellent. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Brenda M.
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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