Hey, It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
14 upvotes
6 Replies
Carson Roberts
+1
38 upvotes
madelyn_mind
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from San Francisco about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Robert White
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
25 upvotes
Kinsley W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
houston_eva
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
12 upvotes
Violet Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.