Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $331,500, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 17.6%, which is higher than I expected. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
3 upvotes
10 Replies
Olivia Walker
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Peyton Ward
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
35 upvotes
chicago_henry
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
34 upvotes
Christian A.
honestly same experience here
26 upvotes
Addison Reed
bump
24 upvotes
Aiden Hall
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
kcliving2026
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 14 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail 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 exactly what I was looking for. 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. 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Serenity Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
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 manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Samuel Nguyen
I've lived in North for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
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