Been meaning to ask this. I relocated for work and Median household income is $56,780, which feels about average for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 69,651 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this?
3 upvotes
9 Replies
Adam Cox
same here
39 upvotes
Lydia Brown
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Alan T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
25 upvotes
gabriel_native
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
native_adeline27
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
20 upvotes
Harper Myers
wish I knew this sooner
17 upvotes
dallaspapa2026
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 27, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. improving 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
17 upvotes
Ezra Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Kai Rogers
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much stable but now it's better than expected.
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