Median household income is $62,671, which feels about average for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 228K people. Average temperature is around 60°F, so the weather is moderate. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
18 upvotes
15 Replies
David Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
William Jones
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Aaliyah Adams
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
39 upvotes
Sophie
This.
37 upvotes
Delilah H.
following this thread
33 upvotes
Ariana Kelly
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
charlotte_jeremiah
Moved here from Boston about 2 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Peyton C.
I work in legal here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Gabriel Wright
seconding this
25 upvotes
Joshua Howard
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Roman Watson
lol so true
15 upvotes
Lucas J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
14 upvotes
coastal_allison21
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Nova Wilson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
seattlepapa2025
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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