Hello, We're a young couple and It's a a small town city with about 2,267 people. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Isabella Rodriguez
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
40 upvotes
Grayson
facts
39 upvotes
rylee_local
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
38 upvotes
Cameron A.
hmm interesting perspective
37 upvotes
Sarah
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Gabriella R.
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Quinn M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Easton Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Reagan Taylor
I've lived in Old Town for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Luna
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much developing but now it's solid.
10 upvotes
Ella Murphy
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
Madeline Hill
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jayden P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Ava M.
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 7 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Pine Hills schools are tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
houston_eli
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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