Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 29,057 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Thoughts?
14 upvotes
7 Replies
Liam Alvarez
I've lived in West for about 8 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Ellie Green
100%
33 upvotes
Benjamin L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Samuel R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
24 upvotes
Melanie Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from San Diego about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Paisley R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is average in most areas.
19 upvotes
Jonathan Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (East) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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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