Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 7.3%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
8 upvotes
10 Replies
Maverick Foster
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Weston Thompson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to San Francisco it's underrated.
37 upvotes
Leah G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
36 upvotes
Pamela T.
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Ruby Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..