Anyone else feel this way? I'm retired and It's a a major city city with about 689K people. 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. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
20 upvotes
2 Replies
Levi Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, 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. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. excellent 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
12 upvotes
Isabelle C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.