Random thought, Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $1,480 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks in advance! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
15 upvotes
27 Replies
Serenity Williams
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Sara H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
36 upvotes
austindude2025
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Emmett Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
34 upvotes
samuel_vibes
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Waylon F.
I work in tech here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
portlandliving2021
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Brooklyn Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 25, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
30 upvotes
Gabriel Smith
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
I'm a contractor and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Janice N.
This.
28 upvotes
Aria Taylor
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
28 upvotes
Ian
Moved here from Denver about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Alexander Bailey
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Jack P.
I'm a writer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Oliver Young
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Valentina Hall
as a local I can confirm
18 upvotes
detroitmind2021
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
Genesis Diaz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Houston it's hit or miss.
18 upvotes
Allison Richardson
glad someone said it
14 upvotes
Thomas Long
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Nathan
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Oak Park area are decent. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Josiah M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
10 upvotes
Sophia G.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's solid.
5 upvotes
Ezra C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
5 upvotes
Allison Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Lillian Bennett
I've lived in Downtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
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