Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and It's a a smaller city city with about 57,683 people. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
23 upvotes
12 Replies
Harper Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Adam Hall
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
tucsonmama2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 32, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
35 upvotes
David Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
elijah_walker
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
29 upvotes
Jace
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Miles Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Cora K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Andrew
+1
11 upvotes
angel_local
I work in hospitality here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Noah Green
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
austin_joseph
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to New York it's average.
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