So, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 13.8%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $978 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Does this match your experience?
7 upvotes
19 Replies
portland_joseph
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Harper Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Robert R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
39 upvotes
Isabella Sanchez
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Isabelle Morales
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Roger P.
Moved here from Houston about 5 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Angel Ramos
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Ruby Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 28, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Jeremiah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Janet R.
I've lived in The Heights for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Jameson Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Kennedy Moore
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Dallas it's excellent.
24 upvotes
Chloe Ross
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Olivia
bump
20 upvotes
Sebastian Robinson
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in South area are decent. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Brielle Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Everly Brooks
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
same here
2 upvotes
Isaiah B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
All Countries
