Hello, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $473,300, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 77--F, so it's warm year-round. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Does this match your experience? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
27 upvotes
7 Replies
Hudson Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Genesis Wood
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Landon C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 34, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
24 upvotes
Nora Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Tampa about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Ezekiel Nelson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
15 upvotes
Dominic Wood
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Chicago it's hit or miss.
11 upvotes
Connor Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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