All Countries
Ezekiel Watson
housing
Rent vs buy in Childress -what makes sense?
Median household income is $59,662, which feels about average for the area. Should I be concerned?
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Isaac
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
40 upvotes
Maya
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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
Landon Cox
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Abigail H.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
32 upvotes
Jacob
I work in retail here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
James Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Peyton Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
native_violet51
nah I disagree
22 upvotes
Hudson Smith
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Caleb C.
literally same
7 upvotes