Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 26,873 people. You can expect to pay around $1,156 for rent here. Rent is about $1,156/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
24 upvotes
3 Replies
Nicholas James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in West and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
27 upvotes
Riley O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Carson Castillo
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
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