Alright, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Homes are going for about $285,100 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to.
26 upvotes
15 Replies
Victoria Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Sebastian Johnson
lol so true
35 upvotes
Connor
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much wild but now it's tough.
35 upvotes
Sadie Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
33 upvotes
Allison Ortiz
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Genesis Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
32 upvotes
Aubrey L.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Levi Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to San Francisco it's average.
30 upvotes
Kaylee Diaz
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Brooks S.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Rylee Alvarez
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Jonathan J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
18 upvotes
Kenneth R.
haha yep pretty much
15 upvotes
Nora Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Matthew Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.