Been meaning to ask this. With a population of 51,199, Wake Forest is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $1,458 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Victoria R.
I've lived in Highland for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Addison Hughes
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Allison Wood
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in East area are average. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Roman Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. surprisingly 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
19 upvotes
Eleanor Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
19 upvotes
Hannah S.
I've lived in Midtown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
nevaeh_vibes
I've lived in Westside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
oliver_soul
bump
7 upvotes
Liam Taylor
I've lived in Riverside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Luke King
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Jordan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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