Not sure if this has been asked before, but The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Benjamin Anderson
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Alexander Gray
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Jack Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Kathryn W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Carol A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to New York it's underrated.
32 upvotes
Jose Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 15 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Gabriel Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Sophie Stewart
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
Bella K.
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Emmett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Bennett Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Victoria Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 37, moved here 1 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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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