Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and Homes are going for about $344,900 on average. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. Household incomes average around $85,573 in Southchase. The median home value here is around $344,900, which seems about average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Hazel Cooper
thanks for sharing
37 upvotes
Emilia Nelson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
30 upvotes
Nova Gray
lol so true
28 upvotes
Grayson Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Gabriella Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Amelia Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
caroline_girl
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
oakland_peyton
Moved here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Nelson
underrated comment
9 upvotes
Jack
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Ethan Cox
as a local I can confirm
7 upvotes
Grayson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
7 upvotes
Andrew W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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