First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Crime rate is something to consider -Oxford sits at 329.3 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
7 Replies
Bennett Peterson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
36 upvotes
Maverick Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Levi Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside 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.
29 upvotes
evelyn_papa
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Nolan Torres
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
16 upvotes
Liam G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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