Hey folks, Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,707/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Should I be concerned? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
18 upvotes
21 Replies
Bennett M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Ellie Hughes
Moved here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Nora Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Austin it's better than expected.
35 upvotes
Landon Edwards
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Kai Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Luke C.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The pet-friendliness is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Keith N.
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Everett Taylor
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Kennedy Harris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Jacob Morales
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Wyatt Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Luke Sanchez
yeah no that's not right
19 upvotes
Landon S.
I work in healthcare here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Savannah
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Pamela H.
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
columbus_santiago
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Sofia Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Jack Hall
Moved here from Charlotte about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Mason Morgan
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
8 upvotes
Aubrey Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Aaron Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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