It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
22 upvotes
15 Replies
Lillian Brown
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Brielle Martinez
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Eleanor Garcia
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Wyatt Turner
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Joseph H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Easton A.
glad someone said it
23 upvotes
Eleanor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
17 upvotes
charlotte_jeremiah
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Daniel Ortiz
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Carson Ramos
Bought a house here in 2020 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Ann K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
13 upvotes
Janet P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
9 upvotes
Sarah Patel
Moved here from Austin about 3 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to job market but Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Kayden H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
sadie_heart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
All Countries
