I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $226,200 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Leonardo G.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The pet-friendliness is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Ruby Wilson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Eli N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Aubrey Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Axel C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Isaac C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Sunset) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
24 upvotes
Vincent S.
bump
20 upvotes
Jaxon Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
orlando_isaac
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Landon Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Madeline Walker
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Midtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Kai Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
12 upvotes
Carter Martin
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
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