Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 63°F, so the weather is moderate. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to.
43 upvotes
14 Replies
Bryan W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
40 upvotes
Delilah Kelly
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Grace Nelson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Harper Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Houston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Autumn Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Grace Kim
this is the way
25 upvotes
Luke Bailey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
22 upvotes
Xavier Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Evan Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
9 upvotes
Evan Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore 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 Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Colton Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
8 upvotes
Jaxon Reed
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
caleb_mind
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
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