Alright, I'm single, late 20s, and The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Worth the trade-offs? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
49 upvotes
25 Replies
Ezekiel Baker
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
40 upvotes
Owen J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Scott W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Abigail J.
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Nolan R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
35 upvotes
happy_zoey99
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Sadie C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Denver 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 Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Bennett
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Lillian Edwards
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Jack Smith
facts
22 upvotes
Bennett Taylor
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Boston it's improving.
20 upvotes
Matthew S.
I've lived in Old Town for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
jaxlover2025
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Nashville it's surprisingly good.
19 upvotes
Kayden Gonzalez
+1
16 upvotes
Katherine T.
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Eli W.
Moved here from Houston about 15 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to community vibe but Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Evan Reed
100%
13 upvotes
Sarah Morgan
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Ryan Nelson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Aurora Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Tampa about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
cincyheart2025
following this thread
5 upvotes
Denise R.
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Owen Turner
bump
3 upvotes
Helen M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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