Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $92,500 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? Thanks for reading.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Eli Mendoza
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
seattle_ezekiel
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Robert L.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The community vibe is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
madeline_life
This.
31 upvotes
sunny_skylar72
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
28 upvotes
Hazel King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Wyatt Long
bump
13 upvotes
Keith F.
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Aria Price
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
loving_isla68
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Henry A.
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
true_elizabeth74
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
3 upvotes
Connor J.
underrated comment
2 upvotes
native_scarlett66
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
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