First post here. Poverty rate is 18.6%, which is higher than I expected. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $53,465, which feels on the lower side for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cheers. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Gianna K.
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Willow Miller
I work in government here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Wesley T.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
cora_dude
good to know, thanks
32 upvotes
Kaylee Gomez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mexican places. it exceeded my expectations.
29 upvotes
Owen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Adeline Gonzalez
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
25 upvotes
Sebastian Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Miami about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Daniel Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Leonardo M.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Uptown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
charlotte_jameson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Adam Lee
I'm a writer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.