Hey everyone, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 6.7%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $993 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
22 upvotes
29 Replies
Emmett Turner
I work in healthcare here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Ezekiel Hernandez
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Noah Parker
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Asian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
Matthew Scott
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Adrian Ortiz
Came here for school and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Austin
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Daniel Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
portlandchef2022
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
28 upvotes
Arianna Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Peyton Roberts
same here
25 upvotes
Scarlett Alvarez
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Silas M.
same here
22 upvotes
Denise N.
Saving this thread
22 upvotes
Mackenzie Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Seattle 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 Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Lily M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Silas White
preach
19 upvotes
Camila K.
+1
19 upvotes
Rylee Hernandez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Jaxon G.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Ezra
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
14 upvotes
Levi J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Julia
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
seattle_sebastian
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Eva Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Gabriel Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. excellent 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
4 upvotes
Genesis Brown
Moved here from LA about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cost of living but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
Everett Alvarez
this is the way
0 upvotes
Leonardo Gonzalez
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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