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Isaac Murphy living

Why I chose Roswell over bigger cities

So, Military spouse here. Household incomes average around $124,422 in Roswell. With a population of 92,577, Roswell is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
5 upvotes

11 Replies

brielle_life
I'm a writer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Mateo L.
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
Luna B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Sofia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 43, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
Nova Clark
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: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.

Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Nova Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are pretty good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And food scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
loving_nathan28
preach
9 upvotes
Wyatt C.
facts
8 upvotes
Stella D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 27, moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in The Heights and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
7 upvotes
Asher Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Nolan T.
I work in manufacturing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
0 upvotes
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