Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Jack B.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
38 upvotes
Jason M.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Weston
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Greyson Green
seconding this
24 upvotes
Caroline Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are average. 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 traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Harold D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Mason Reyes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Emma M.
following this thread
10 upvotes
Hunter Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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. Property taxes are high. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Connor James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in South and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
6 upvotes
Jonathan J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 48, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Eastside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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