So, I work in marketing and Poverty rate is 7.7%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Landon Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
39 upvotes
Lucas Patel
lol so true
36 upvotes
Zoe S.
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Aria Morales
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
31 upvotes
Miles A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
28 upvotes
Oliver Green
Moved here from Tampa about 10 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Lucy Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Natalie Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
coastal_joseph69
seconding this
19 upvotes
Logan Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Kyle C.
Came here for retirement and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Brielle
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Carter Phillips
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
Ariana Brown
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The weather is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
0 upvotes
Ian Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 15 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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