Hey everyone, Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $241,500 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes
19 Replies
Patrick C.
following this thread
38 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Houston it's better than expected.
34 upvotes
Ella Richardson
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Eleanor G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
30 upvotes
Kelly W.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Chloe Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Josiah N.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Francisco it's underrated.
25 upvotes
Jose Watson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
24 upvotes
Joseph Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Axel F.
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 14 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Old Town schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Theodore Rodriguez
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to community vibe but Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
atl_adeline
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Mia C.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much wild but now it's average.
12 upvotes
Piper Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 41, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Mia M.
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
Skylar Brown
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
jax_elizabeth
noted, appreciate it
4 upvotes
Arthur M.
good to know, thanks
0 upvotes
Debra L.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
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