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Harper James best-worst

University of Virginia vs Las Vegas -which is better?

Hello, You can expect to pay around $1,385 for rent here. Rent is about $1,385/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $44,635 in University of Virginia. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Should I be concerned? Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
2 upvotes

14 Replies

vegas_cooper
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 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 Denver, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The school system scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Thomas Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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
Jonathan S.
Moved here from New York about 1 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to housing market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 58, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
23 upvotes
Cora Campbell
as a local I can confirm
22 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
great question, following
21 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 49, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
16 upvotes
Grace Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
madelyn_mind
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Everett
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's improving.
6 upvotes
Lily J.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
5 upvotes
Mateo James
glad someone said it
3 upvotes
Wesley Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
0 upvotes
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