Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Has anyone dealt with this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Angel Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Elijah
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Emmett Long
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Ethan Myers
I'm a social worker and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Alexander Martin
facts
29 upvotes
Alice Young
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The food scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Claire Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Kayden Cooper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from New York about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Nova Evans
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Sarah C.
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Mia Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in West and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. better than expected 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 Nashville, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
11 upvotes
Landon
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
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