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Kai Moore moving

Considering South Whittier vs Houston -help me decide

I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $641,700 on average. Any advice would be great. Thanks for reading.
18 upvotes

19 Replies

Landon A.
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
true_sarah38
following this thread
39 upvotes
Jameson Green
I work in government here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Levi M.
facts
34 upvotes
Adrian
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Piper Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.

Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Emily Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 30, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
23 upvotes
Naomi Hernandez
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
23 upvotes
Matthew J.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
Aurora Perez
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is decent

The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Eliana Sanchez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Santiago Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.

I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Lily Wilson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is improving in most areas.
14 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
couldn't agree more
14 upvotes
Aiden Price
seconding this
14 upvotes
Santiago Martin
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Meadowbrook area are challenging. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Katherine S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a marketing manager, 30, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Old Town and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
12 upvotes
Ruby Cruz
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Isabella Moore
Used to live on the West side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
7 upvotes
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