Hello, Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 78--F, so it's warm year-round. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Anyone in a similar situation? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
24 upvotes
11 Replies
sacramento_ezekiel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Downtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
32 upvotes
Declan Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
26 upvotes
Dylan
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Rylee Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
23 upvotes
Liam Moore
I'm a lawyer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Eleanor C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 51, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
18 upvotes
Peyton Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Greyson Morgan
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Hunter Thomas
yep
0 upvotes
Andrew Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 34, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
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