Hello, My partner and I are It's a a small town city with about 17,514 people. Homes are going for about $197,000 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What do you all think? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
10 Replies
Mackenzie Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
john_girl
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Ryan Long
I work in retail here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Violet D.
as a local I can confirm
17 upvotes
Hudson P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
John R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Willow Murphy
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Aiden K.
couldn't agree more
3 upvotes
Isaac
hard disagree but ok
2 upvotes
Serenity B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, 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. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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