Hi all, We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Azle sits at 102.3 per 100K. With a population of 13,734, Azle is a small town. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Mateo P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Houston it's challenging.
39 upvotes
Adrian W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Claire Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 25, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
35 upvotes
Gabriella L.
big facts right here
34 upvotes
Ariana Peterson
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Kayla M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
John
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Audrey Reyes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Luna Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.