Longtime lurker here, With a population of 1,499, Crandon is a small town. Poverty rate is 6.3%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
6 Replies
Luke Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
33 upvotes
Nova Gray
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Samuel N.
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Alexa Baker
I've lived in Old Town for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Isaac Lee
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
3 upvotes
Camila Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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