First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $48,965 in West Lealman. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Worth the trade-offs? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
15 upvotes
8 Replies
Nathan O.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Nicholas Gutierrez
I'm a nurse and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
dcvibes2023
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
Cameron Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Piper C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
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