Hey, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Boone sits at 289.2 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Thoughts? Any help is appreciated.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
Axel Williams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Eva Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
40 upvotes
Caleb Lopez
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Highland area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Nicholas R.
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Sadie Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Old Town) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
25 upvotes
Isabelle P.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
11 upvotes
Daniel N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Stella Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.