Hi all, You can expect to pay around $789 for rent here. Median household income is $50,171, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Is this normal for Altoona?
21 upvotes
9 Replies
Anna Foster
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Ian Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Everly M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Carter Walker
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Gabriel Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
John Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Cameron D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is solid in most areas.
15 upvotes
Delilah Price
hmm interesting perspective
3 upvotes
Savannah R.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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