Hey everyone, I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $484 for rent here. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $143,300, which is actually reasonable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation? The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Gianna Brown
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 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes 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 better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Brittany H.
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Sarah Hughes
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Gabriel Johnson
spot on
26 upvotes
Roman Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 1 years. Moved from Phoenix for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Christian White
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Mia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
20 upvotes
fresno_autumn
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Miles A.
I've lived in Midtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Abigail Williams
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
tulsa_cameron
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.