So, Born and raised here. It's a a small town city with about 12,506 people. Homes are going for about $404,900 on average. Poverty rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,984 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any help is appreciated. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Josiah Reyes
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
desert_mackenzie22
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Weston Diaz
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
John Kim
+1
31 upvotes
Kennedy Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Lillian Wright
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
Jaxon Long
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
25 upvotes
Samuel
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Thai places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
23 upvotes
Vivian W.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Isaiah W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
16 upvotes
Mia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Parker Harris
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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