Born and raised here. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,065 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
22 upvotes
5 Replies
Cooper Jimenez
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
18 upvotes
sd_leo
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Piper H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Atlanta about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Luna Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
jackson_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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