First post here. Been living here since 2012. The median home value here is around $107,300, which is actually reasonable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
4 upvotes
5 Replies
Eva P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
river_amelia94
same here
34 upvotes
Isla Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 13 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
17 upvotes
Lisa B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Kayden
Used to live on the South side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
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