Hey folks, The median home value here is around $616,000, which is pretty steep. You can expect to pay around $2,170 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
7 Replies
Everett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 48, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
30 upvotes
la_elizabeth
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
24 upvotes
Ellie Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Piper Allen
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Zoe S.
bump
8 upvotes
Maverick Castillo
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Oliver
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's surprisingly good.
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