Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 9,233 people. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Donna L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
37 upvotes
Aubrey Nguyen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
urban_isaiah61
Moved here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
John Kim
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
25 upvotes
Rylee C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
sdmind2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 4 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
13 upvotes
Aaron
I work in government here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is better than expected. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Dylan Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 57, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. average 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
5 upvotes
Joseph W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 33, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in North and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
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