Anyone else feel this way? It's a a mid-size city city with about 149K people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do?
44 upvotes
9 Replies
Jace Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, 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.
36 upvotes
Mackenzie W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Piper Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Abigail Green
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
21 upvotes
Jaxon K.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Kayden Morales
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Jose Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
18 upvotes
Rylee T.
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
James C.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
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