Alright, The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. It's a a small town city with about 23,616 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience?
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Harper Reed
I work in legal here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Kaylee Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Daniel Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
37 upvotes
David J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
37 upvotes
Mackenzie Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
34 upvotes
Aurora Rodriguez
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Scarlett
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 New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. tough 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
32 upvotes
mia_rider
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Santiago
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
30 upvotes
Anna C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Silas Morris
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 13 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts 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 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 high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Kaylee Martinez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Adrian Carter
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Addison
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much stable but now it's underrated.
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