Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and Median household income is $78,916, which feels about average for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What would you do? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
10 upvotes
10 Replies
James Cruz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Melanie C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to San Diego it's average.
30 upvotes
Lucy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Caleb Diaz
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Leonardo Brown
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Maya T.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
11 upvotes
Ronald R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 8 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Jose K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
6 upvotes
Rylee Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Claire Bailey
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much manageable but now it's tough.