Alright, It's a a smaller city city with about 26,001 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes
20 Replies
Megan R.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
40 upvotes
Lucas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
cool_violet86
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Lillian R.
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Mateo Carter
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Kinsley Gomez
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
lagirl2025
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 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Xavier Hernandez
Moved here from Tampa about 2 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to healthcare but No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Samuel R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Miles Lee
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
20 upvotes
Henry S.
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Dominic Gomez
I work in retail here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Declan Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 25, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. surprisingly good 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
14 upvotes
Douglas R.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
13 upvotes
Chloe W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Miami about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
omahavibes2022
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Julian S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Adam Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 7 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail 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 hit or miss - we have lakes 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 underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Kai P.
yep
4 upvotes
Weston Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
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