OK so Homes are going for about $211,900 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,058 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned? Thanks for reading. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Rylee Nguyen
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Rylee James
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
33 upvotes
Ethan
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The weather is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Nicholas Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Lily Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
27 upvotes
Amy M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 45, moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Eastside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. 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 Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
23 upvotes
Noah Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Naomi Morris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
19 upvotes
sacramento_brielle
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Parker Watson
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Asian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Cora
Moved here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to housing market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..