Random thought, With a population of 12,012, Shady Hills is a small town. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Bruce W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
26 upvotes
nyc_angel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Atlanta it's better than expected.
22 upvotes
David M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 54, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
18 upvotes
Allison Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Denver it's underrated.
16 upvotes
Andrew Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
15 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
preach
11 upvotes
Kinsley Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Jace Hughes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Julian P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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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