First post here. It's a a small town city with about 18,756 people. You can expect to pay around $872 for rent here. Rent is about $872/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Growing food scene
- Close to nature
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Sprawl everywhere
- Lack of diversity
- Boring for young people
- Poor road conditions
Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Gianna Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
luca_rider
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Peyton King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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 average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Lillian Rivera
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Sophia R.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Easton Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Paisley G.
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Caroline Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
20 upvotes
Andrew
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
16 upvotes
Caleb Jimenez
it depends on the neighborhood
14 upvotes
serenity_chef
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Greyson Ramos
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Skylar Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
6 upvotes
William A.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to weather but Feel free to reach out with questions..
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