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Isaiah Ortiz living

Honest thoughts on life in Altoona

Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $50,171, which feels on the lower side for the area. Poverty rate is 13.9%, which is around average. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes

2 Replies

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

If you value food scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.

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.
33 upvotes
Henry Campbell
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
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