Curious what people think. Homes are going for about $189,700 on average. You can expect to pay around $874 for rent here. Median household income is $56,218, which feels about average for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cheers. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
7 upvotes
25 Replies
Carter M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Olivia Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
40 upvotes
Wesley Ruiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Dylan A.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Tampa, 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 walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Nicholas Flores
100%
38 upvotes
Jacob Morgan
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Lillian Price
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Bennett Johnson
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Eliana Jackson
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The walkability is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Aria D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
30 upvotes
mountain_lillian19
bump
30 upvotes
Piper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Wesley
I've lived in Eastside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Caleb Taylor
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Austin Bailey
glad someone said it
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 40, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Westside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
16 upvotes
Leonardo Lee
I'm a project manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Ezra Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Ariana Cook
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Alyssa P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Charlotte it's improving.
3 upvotes
Vivian Murphy
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Josiah Young
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
2 upvotes
Julia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited entertainment 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.
2 upvotes
Scarlett Morris
noted, appreciate it
1 upvotes
Nathan W.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in North area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
All Countries
