Alright, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a small town city with about 7,135 people. Rent is about $1,752/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Emma
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 38, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
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. Rising rent and home prices
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Nevaeh R.
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
Andrew R.
I'm a contractor and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is average and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Michael C.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Ian Sanchez
I've lived in Old Town for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Ryan Ward
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Paisley Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Weston Hughes
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Zoe Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Parker Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Isabelle K.
lol so true
11 upvotes
Charlotte C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
10 upvotes
Isla L.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are improving. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Roman H.
I'm a teacher and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
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