Not sure if this has been asked before, but I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $290,900 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,284 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 17.6%, which is higher than I expected. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
32 upvotes
12 Replies
John H.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The cost of living is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
stlmind2021
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Asian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
33 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Brooks Jimenez
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Adam Lee
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Miles Mendoza
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Paisley Sanchez
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Adeline S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
17 upvotes
Cameron A.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Kennedy Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
savannah_dude
I've lived in Uptown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
