The good and bad of living in Abingdon

Roman G. Apr 24, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 46, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - 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 cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.

28 upvotes

Helen H. May 2, 2025

Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.

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.

18 upvotes