Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $412,900 on average. Poverty rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,075 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Eugene S.
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
seattle_austin
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Aubrey Perez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
32 upvotes
Sebastian Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 15 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are average. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
stlfan2021
following this thread
31 upvotes
Ruby Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. marketing 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
sacramento_greyson
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.
28 upvotes
Henry Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
28 upvotes
Everly Price
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
27 upvotes
Bella Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa 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 West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Maya Clark
noted, appreciate it
19 upvotes
Everly
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
18 upvotes
Kinsley Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Avery Baker
I work in engineering here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Aubrey Allen
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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