I'm a 26-year-old firefighter and The median home value here is around $1,668,200, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I overthinking this? Any help is appreciated. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Deborah R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 31, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
39 upvotes
Lily R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Sarah Cook
I've lived in South for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- The nightlife scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Hudson Williams
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Andrew Rivera
yeah no that's not right
6 upvotes
Elizabeth
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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