Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $386,200, which seems about average. Rent is about $2,117/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $102,403 in Pecan Plantation. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
kc_nicholas
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Dylan R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 35, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Bella Alvarez
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Owen K.
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
27 upvotes
Piper
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
24 upvotes
Hudson Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
22 upvotes
Alyssa C.
I've lived in North for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The public transit scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Beverly P.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Easton Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
native_serenity47
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Jordan Morgan
I'm a chef and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Eli D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from LA about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
0 upvotes
Ian White
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
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