Random thought, My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $429,900, which is pretty steep. With a population of 108K, Allen is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a mid-size city city with about 108K people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
24 Replies
chicago_roman
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
39 upvotes
Lily Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 49, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. challenging 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
38 upvotes
Sebastian Johnson
bump
37 upvotes
Lillian Gomez
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 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 Miami, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Elizabeth Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Everett Peterson
preach
24 upvotes
Lily Garcia
I've lived in Midtown for about 7 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 Seattle, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Noah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
23 upvotes
Waylon Sanchez
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Philip R.
Moved here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to weather but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Samuel Nguyen
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Adeline Scott
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Caroline Morgan
bump
14 upvotes
Ruby T.
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
Joseph Thompson
underrated comment
11 upvotes
Hannah Anderson
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
David
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Leah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Lucas Foster
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Sophie Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
5 upvotes
Liam Smith
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
4 upvotes
sdchef2020
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Melanie Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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