I'm a college student here and Median household income is $77,585, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,063/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $77,585 in Stuarts Draft. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Kinsley Reed
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Autumn
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Rylee
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Sophia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 38, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
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. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Nova E.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Highland area are excellent. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
Matthew Johnson
preach
13 upvotes
Lucy T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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