Curious what people think. The median home value here is around $408,600, which is pretty steep. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I overthinking this? Any help is appreciated. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up.
2 upvotes
9 Replies
Aurora S.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Naomi Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
33 upvotes
alice_heart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
24 upvotes
Scarlett G.
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Ian Campbell
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
17 upvotes
la_dylan
This.
16 upvotes
Leo Hall
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to LA it's excellent.
14 upvotes
Hazel Long
Bought a house here in 2019 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Colton Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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