Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers.
10 upvotes
19 Replies
Mary A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Maya Nelson
exactly what I was thinking
40 upvotes
Aria Kelly
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
34 upvotes
Eugene F.
literally same
33 upvotes
Aria Ortiz
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Declan Hernandez
I work in legal here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Aurora W.
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Hudson H.
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 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Emmett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Eli B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Ian Adams
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Emily Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Ian P.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Mia K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Lydia Adams
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Jacob R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 44, moved here 5 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
13 upvotes
Harper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
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