Random thought, My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Basalt sits at 23.8 per 100K. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Isla S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Aubrey L.
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 Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 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:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails 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 decent. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Larry G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 42, moved here 6 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Midtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
31 upvotes
Eva Mitchell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Pittsburgh it's tough.
27 upvotes
local_john82
I work in healthcare here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Adam Wood
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Mexican places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Lillian Baker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Denver it's better than expected.
22 upvotes
Jace Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
18 upvotes
Jace Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
15 upvotes
Aurora B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
14 upvotes
Aiden
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. pretty good 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
Evan H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Robert R.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
milwaukee_landon
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Matthew Sanchez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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