I'm single, late 30s, and It's a a mid-size city city with about 110K people. Average temperature is around 80--F, so it's warm year-round. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
48 upvotes
13 Replies
Riley Rodriguez
Moved here from Boston about 4 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to nightlife but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Christian F.
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Kennedy C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Wyatt Evans
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Raleigh it's excellent.
29 upvotes
Isaac Jimenez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Mason Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
24 upvotes
Axel J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 3 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks 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 average. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Alice Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
17 upvotes
Lillian B.
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Mateo Adams
big facts right here
10 upvotes
Henry Walker
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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