Honest thoughts on life in Altoona

Isabella Castillo Jan 15, 2025

seconding this

32 upvotes

Luke Alvarez Feb 1, 2025

great question, following

12 upvotes

Maverick Foster Feb 5, 2025

Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

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

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

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.

10 upvotes

Jordan Parker Feb 6, 2025

I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.

9 upvotes

Julia Hernandez Jan 16, 2025

This.

7 upvotes