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Nolan Anderson moving

Moving to Altoona with kids -good idea?

Hi all, Median household income is $87,123, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,203 for rent here. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience?
8 upvotes

10 Replies

Dominic Hill
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are decent. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Samuel Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
oakland_liam
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
34 upvotes
Nolan Castillo
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Violet R.
this is the way
25 upvotes
Hunter E.
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Wyatt J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in West and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
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. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. tough 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
21 upvotes
Brooklyn Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Lillian
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Minneapolis it's average.
14 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
accurate
10 upvotes
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