Alright, I'm a college student here and It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
Waylon J.
glad someone said it
31 upvotes
Adrian Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Bennett J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
26 upvotes
Ruby Torres
Moved here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to school system but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Alexa J.
bump
15 upvotes
Mackenzie Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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