Sign In Register
Alexander Evans living

What I wish I knew before living in Parole

Random thought, You can expect to pay around $2,187 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
8 upvotes

13 Replies

Harold C.
wish I knew this sooner
36 upvotes
Angel Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
35 upvotes
Mateo James
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 Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Jean C.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Miles Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Sophia N.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Ariana Diaz
this is the way
27 upvotes
Bennett
Came here for school and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor recreation is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Axel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
12 upvotes
Greyson Ward
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Pine Hills area are solid. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
eli_soul
I work in hospitality here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Harold H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Isla Collins
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
0 upvotes
← Back to Parole Community