Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and You can expect to pay around $716 for rent here. Household incomes average around $52,529 in Russellville. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Should I be concerned?
14 upvotes
11 Replies
lydia_papa
I've lived in East for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
denvermama2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
legal is strong here. real estate 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers 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 tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Theodore Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
37 upvotes
Eli F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Katherine P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Colton Ruiz
This.
29 upvotes
Zoey Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Delilah G.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Angel Baker
accurate
13 upvotes
Eleanor Cooper
hard disagree but ok
5 upvotes
Lucy Jones
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 cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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