Hey folks, Homes are going for about $443,100 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
7 upvotes
23 Replies
Nora C.
lol so true
39 upvotes
Madelyn
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
39 upvotes
Ella Miller
Moved here from Chicago about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Lydia Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
38 upvotes
Sophia Ross
lol so true
35 upvotes
Gloria B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 25, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - 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 traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
34 upvotes
Henry Patel
Used to live on the East side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Dominic P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Sebastian M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 3 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. 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. Meadowbrook 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Arianna Rivera
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Weston M.
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Oliver M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Sean R.
This.
19 upvotes
Evan
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Parker Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Addison
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Benjamin Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Samuel P.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Angel Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco 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 Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Isaiah H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Tampa it's solid.
7 upvotes
Zoey Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Alexa Chavez
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Josiah Hall
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
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