Been meaning to ask this. It's a a small town city with about 19,263 people. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 14.2%, which is around average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Ezekiel Ross
I work in government here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
orlando_declan
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
dc_rylee
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Cora Campbell
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Thomas Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Zoey Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Maya Clark
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Nathan Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Sophia G.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Luna
same here
20 upvotes
Billy M.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Addison
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
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