Been meaning to ask this. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $181,800, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $181,800 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
30 Replies
Santiago Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Everly Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Asher Clark
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Raleigh it's pretty good.
40 upvotes
Theodore
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Miami it's hit or miss.
38 upvotes
ruby_guy
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Isla Walker
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Aria Stewart
yep
33 upvotes
Ella Martinez
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Evan N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
santiago_lover
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Julia Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
31 upvotes
Jeffrey F.
I've lived in West for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Gabriel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is excellent in most areas.
30 upvotes
Jose Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Dylan Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Daniel Ruiz
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
grace_living
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 25, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
20 upvotes
Avery
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Cedar Grove area are challenging. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Elizabeth Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
indyguy2020
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Oliver Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Boston 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 East. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Scarlett Hughes
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
Victoria M.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Uptown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Bennett
seconding this
9 upvotes
Stella Sanchez
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Ezra Diaz
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Xavier King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Clara Baker
this is the way
5 upvotes
Dylan R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
Abigail M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
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