Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,761/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $551,700, which is pretty steep. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I overthinking this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
13 upvotes
5 Replies
Alice T.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Jace Chavez
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
27 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
22 upvotes
Adeline Rodriguez
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
Wesley A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
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