The unemployment rate is 1.1%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 14.7%, which is around average. Rent is about $709/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
11 upvotes
11 Replies
Elijah
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
31 upvotes
Weston Chavez
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Jack F.
spot on
30 upvotes
Stella Mitchell
same here
27 upvotes
Ella
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Dylan Thomas
+1
19 upvotes
Paisley Hill
Moved here from Houston about 14 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
George S.
great question, following
10 upvotes
Matthew
I've lived in Westside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
grayson_dude
spot on
4 upvotes
Mateo Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
All Countries
