Hi all, I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,040/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $171,300 on average. The median home value here is around $171,300, which is actually reasonable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
12 upvotes
2 Replies
Christopher C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 42, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Old Town and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. solid 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Aiden Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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