Hey everyone, I'm single, late 40s, and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. The suburbs are where most families end up.
10 upvotes
24 Replies
Cora K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 49, moved here 11 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Westside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
40 upvotes
Sofia Moore
great question, following
38 upvotes
Madeline P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
lillian_walker
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
cora_dude
glad someone said it
31 upvotes
Jose Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Reagan Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Sophie Harris
this is the way
30 upvotes
jayden_life
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Downtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Caleb King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
25 upvotes
Sebastian Phillips
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Katherine Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Brielle Murphy
Moved here from Dallas about 9 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to housing market but No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Zoey Diaz
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mexican places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
chicagorunner2024
I've lived in Westside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Eva Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Liam Kelly
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Eliana R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 30, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
10 upvotes
Patricia S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Jason C.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Thai places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
7 upvotes
Benjamin Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
7 upvotes
Stella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 40, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
5 upvotes
Jose Ross
100%
4 upvotes
Peyton
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Midtown schools are solid. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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