I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $840/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $57,310 in Ashland. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks for reading. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Jacob
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Hazel Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 57, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
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 school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
37 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Evan Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
32 upvotes
portlandlover2022
underrated comment
30 upvotes
Elena Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
omaha_thomas
Used to live on the South side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Evan Cox
I'm a social worker and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
everett_dude
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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