First post here. My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 6.0%, which is about average. Rent is about $924/month for a decent place. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What are your go-to spots? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
11 upvotes
7 Replies
Teresa M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Grayson M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
38 upvotes
Ethan Y.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Joseph Ward
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Isaac Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Cooper R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
18 upvotes
Willow Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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