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Leah Thompson living

Is Alcoa getting better or worse?

It's a a small town city with about 11,635 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
4 upvotes

4 Replies

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

Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. average 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 San Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Lucy G.
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Caroline W.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Valentina Moore
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
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