I'm retired and With a population of 20,884, Arnold is a small town. Homes are going for about $209,700 on average. Median household income is $75,194, which feels about average for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Thanks for reading. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
5 Replies
Lucy G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 56, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Uptown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
27 upvotes
Easton Allen
bump
27 upvotes
Caroline P.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. it's been a really good experience overall.
5 upvotes
Nathan Evans
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Andrew Hughes
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
All Countries
