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raised_christian21
best-worst
Smithfield is underrated, change my mind
Random thought, Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Thanks!
4 upvotes
8 Replies
Valentina H.
Moved here from Tampa about 7 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to traffic but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Houston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
Background: I'm a social worker, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Houston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
32 upvotes
Santiago Turner
yep
31 upvotes
Gianna James
facts
30 upvotes
Evelyn T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
23 upvotes
Aaron
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Emmett B.
I've lived in South for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Emilia Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
0 upvotes