Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a smaller city city with about 35,730 people. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. The weather takes some getting used to. Worth the trade-offs? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
29 upvotes
7 Replies
living_ryan38
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
emmett_girl
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
Came here for work and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The housing market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
lake_david50
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Easton Hughes
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Aiden Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
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