I'm a 48-year-old graphic designer and Rent is about $2,181/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Christian
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 42, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. decent 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
34 upvotes
Everett Mendoza
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Allison Phillips
this is the way
29 upvotes
Naomi
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Nashville it's decent.
24 upvotes
urban_william43
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 57, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Nightlife is limited
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
23 upvotes
Emilia E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 5 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Uptown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Abigail Rivera
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
15 upvotes
Leah Myers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Miles Mendoza
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Kaylee
Totally agree!
0 upvotes
tucsonlover2021
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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