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Roman Mitchell
housing
How much do you pay for rent in Ames?
Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
21 upvotes
6 Replies
Maya Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Elizabeth Wood
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Evan B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Mia M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
26 upvotes
phillylocal2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Nolan
I work in marketing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes