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Owen Campbell living

What I wish I knew before living in Bel Air South

OK so I've been here for 16 years and Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $1,666/month for a decent place. With a population of 57,702, Bel Air South is a smaller city. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.

Pros:
- Friendly people
- Close to nature
- Low taxes
- Easy commute

Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Sprawl everywhere
- Far from major airports
- Limited cultural events
- Not enough green space
Would love some local perspective. Thanks! The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
0 upvotes

5 Replies

Declan W.
literally same
40 upvotes
stl_luna
wish I knew this sooner
36 upvotes
Carson W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Ruby Reed
Moved here from Boston about 8 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Stella Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.

People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
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