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Madelyn Foster moving

Moving to Ashland -what should I know?

So, My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $81,604 in Ashland. Homes are going for about $695,300 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Thanks in advance! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up.
12 upvotes

12 Replies

Everett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
34 upvotes
Jack
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

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

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are average. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Ava Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited

Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Avery Gutierrez
I work in healthcare here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Thomas Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Kaylee Hernandez
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good

The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Scarlett G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 42, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
23 upvotes
Thomas Hernandez
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Landon Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 53, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
12 upvotes
sunny_everly88
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Eugene P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 35, moved here 11 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
1 upvotes
Hailey Foster
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
0 upvotes
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