OK so The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
18 upvotes
15 Replies
Jose W.
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Jacob Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Melanie R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in The Heights and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
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. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Ruby Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
29 upvotes
Axel James
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
28 upvotes
Joshua Martin
100%
24 upvotes
Valentina Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - 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 dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
22 upvotes
Caleb Parker
I've lived in Midtown for about 7 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 public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Logan Ruiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Audrey Bennett
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Southern places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
detroit_hunter
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Gianna Johnson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Francisco it's improving.
9 upvotes
Aaron Young
great question, following
5 upvotes
Elizabeth
hard disagree but ok
2 upvotes
Wyatt Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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