Longtime lurker here, I'm a 26-year-old pharmacist and The median home value here is around $381,000, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $73,135 in Redwood. You can expect to pay around $1,379 for rent here. Homes are going for about $381,000 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Madeline B.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Maya Young
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
38 upvotes
Jace Rogers
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Serenity Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Addison Campbell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Jace Turner
Moved here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Bella Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Portland about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Luke Rodriguez
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Eleanor Roberts
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's improving.
17 upvotes
Eleanor Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Luca Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
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