First post here. I've been here for 7 years and The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 5,778 people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Paisley D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Kai Myers
wish I knew this sooner
26 upvotes
Luke
I work in hospitality here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Carter Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 46, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
23 upvotes
Easton C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is excellent in most areas.
23 upvotes
Margaret E.
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Frank W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Isla
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 3 years. Moved from Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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 average. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Weston K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
18 upvotes
Adeline Lewis
same here
15 upvotes
Isaiah Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Xavier Smith
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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