Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. It's a a small town city with about 17,678 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. TIA! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
6 upvotes
5 Replies
Bennett Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Cora Alvarez
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 8 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 Charlotte, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Kaylee W.
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
22 upvotes
abigail_kid
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 24, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
7 upvotes
Adrian L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
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