Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and It's a a mid-size city city with about 126K people. Median household income is $134,367, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thanks for reading. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
30 upvotes
12 Replies
nycmama2024
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Henry
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Weston Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are better than expected. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Reagan Reyes
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Cora Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Lucy R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Santiago Brooks
nah I disagree
19 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Harper F.
seconding this
17 upvotes
Melanie Phillips
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
16 upvotes
Nathan Gutierrez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
15 upvotes
Timothy M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is solid in most areas.
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