Hi all, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 55--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $652,000 on average. Poverty rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
10 upvotes
8 Replies
Andrew Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
35 upvotes
Wyatt Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Cooper
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Aubrey
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Carson E.
accurate
13 upvotes
Owen Scott
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
10 upvotes
Theodore Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Andrew Cook
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
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