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Oliver Rodriguez living

Why I chose Bolivar over bigger cities

Hi all, Household incomes average around $44,603 in Bolivar. It's a a small town city with about 10,996 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes

3 Replies

Cora
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
27 upvotes
Paisley Morris
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Axel Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.

I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
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