First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Thanks in advance! Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Greyson Gray
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
nashvilleguy2025
I work in hospitality here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Mason Gonzalez
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Parker Martinez
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
Emily
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Grace T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Jose M.
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Joseph R.
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 8 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And safety 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.
12 upvotes
Adeline Williams
I work in consulting here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
orlandoguy2024
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Parker
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Waylon B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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