Curious what people think. We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,474/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 33,924 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What are your go-to spots?
4 upvotes
6 Replies
Audrey J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Theodore Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Ella Harris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
coastal_connor75
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Jayden Brooks
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Nicholas Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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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