I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider -Wake Forest sits at 52.0 per 100K. With a population of 51,199, Wake Forest is a smaller city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
19 upvotes
10 Replies
Hunter Ruiz
Totally agree!
36 upvotes
Landon
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
34 upvotes
Jayden Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Santiago Gomez
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Bella Perez
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's hit or miss.
21 upvotes
Eleanor Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Jeremiah Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
16 upvotes
Wesley Williams
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
15 upvotes
chicago_zoey
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Claire
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
All Countries
