Curious what people think. I'm a 29-year-old social worker and Crime rate is something to consider -Westchase sits at 108.4 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 24,818 people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Is this normal for Westchase?
3 upvotes
13 Replies
Colton T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Santiago Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 12 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are surprisingly good. 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Victoria Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Arthur R.
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Eleanor Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Valentina Reed
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
14 upvotes
Emilia Turner
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Austin M.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
13 upvotes
proud_gabriella57
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
8 upvotes
Easton Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
7 upvotes
Isla Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
6 upvotes
lake_connor1
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in The Heights area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Lillian Campbell
I've lived in Downtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
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