First post here. I've been here for 3 years and Homes are going for about $211,500 on average. Median household income is $68,333, which feels about average for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Worth the trade-offs? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Joshua
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
34 upvotes
jaxon_rider
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Bennett Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
24 upvotes
charlotte_jameson
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
22 upvotes
Harper
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.
20 upvotes
Genesis B.
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
parker_vibes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 13 years. Moved from LA for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Debra G.
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
Rachel J.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
ryan_lover
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Chicago it's average.
6 upvotes
Kai Moore
Moved here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to school system but Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Ariana Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
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