Hey everyone, Rent is about $957/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
2 upvotes
9 Replies
Eli Kelly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Leah Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Aubrey Stewart
glad someone said it
35 upvotes
Zoey Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 27, moved here 5 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. solid 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 Portland, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. 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.
25 upvotes
isaac_fan
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to LA it's average.
24 upvotes
Silas Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 28, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
nicholas_mama
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Atlanta it's tough.
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