First post here. I'm a 33-year-old graphic designer and Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
12 upvotes
3 Replies
Matthew W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
11 upvotes
Andrew K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Midtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
7 upvotes
Carter Brooks
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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