So, You can expect to pay around $945 for rent here.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Alice Lopez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Downtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Ian Harris
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in East area are improving. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Kinsley
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Jaxon
lol so true
36 upvotes
Declan Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Zoey
glad someone said it
30 upvotes
Christian Phillips
spot on
23 upvotes
Thomas Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Theodore Ramirez
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 6 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches 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 challenging. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Hunter Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. underrated 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
11 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much competitive but now it's better than expected.
4 upvotes
Nolan L.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great craft beer places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
0 upvotes
Christian Morgan
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.