Hi all, We have two kids and Rent is about $1,979/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
24 upvotes
13 Replies
Willow
Totally agree!
39 upvotes
Katherine Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 46, moved here 11 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally solid - 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 cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
31 upvotes
Santiago Young
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much established but now it's solid.
30 upvotes
benjamin_girl
been saying this for years
30 upvotes
Frances T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
29 upvotes
Kaylee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Ariana
yep
23 upvotes
Brooklyn Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from San Francisco about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Autumn W.
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Eli
100%
8 upvotes
Cameron Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Nancy F.
I've lived in Downtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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