Hi all, I've been here for 1 years and The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. With a population of 25,630, Pace is a smaller city. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? Cheers. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
25 upvotes
23 Replies
Billy R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Axel James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Emilia
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
Ezra Adams
I'm a nurse and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Maya Green
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Sarah Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Kayden Cook
been saying this for years
30 upvotes
Randy H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Emma Cruz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Christian Mendoza
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor recreation is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Andrew K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Maya Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
23 upvotes
Brooks Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 26, moved here 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
23 upvotes
Brielle Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
22 upvotes
Abigail D.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. I love the pace of life here.
20 upvotes
Stella Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Lydia Edwards
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
proud_camila95
I'm a project manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Liam Moore
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Austin B.
this is the way
8 upvotes
Dominic W.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
1 upvotes
Isabelle
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes
Owen R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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