Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 64°F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development.
46 upvotes
11 Replies
Ezra W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
40 upvotes
Luna
this is the way
38 upvotes
Aubrey Gray
hmm interesting perspective
28 upvotes
Jose Wood
seconding this
28 upvotes
Aiden A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Peyton Ward
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Santiago Lopez
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
24 upvotes
Andrew Kim
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Nolan Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Tampa, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
Addison Turner
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Isaac Price
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
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