OK so What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Evelyn Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 40, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
39 upvotes
Everly Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
37 upvotes
Genesis White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. North schools are solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
37 upvotes
Victoria Campbell
I've lived in Westside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Katherine K.
this is the way
34 upvotes
Elizabeth Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Claire Young
facts
29 upvotes
Ethan Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Timothy M.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Isaac
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
Luke
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Grace Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
13 upvotes
Cora Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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