First post here. Median household income is $127,246, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development.
12 upvotes
22 Replies
Daniel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is challenging in most areas.
40 upvotes
Grace Wood
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
37 upvotes
Maya Green
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
35 upvotes
gabriella_lover
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
34 upvotes
Julian T.
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Aaliyah Jones
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Eugene D.
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 11 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains 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. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Sebastian Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. underrated 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
23 upvotes
Elena Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Ella Cook
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Ellie Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
austin_lily
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Ryan Nelson
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
17 upvotes
Xavier Price
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
17 upvotes
Sofia Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Asher Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. West schools are pretty good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
jackson_heart
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Hudson Ortiz
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The school system is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Isaiah Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
8 upvotes
Alexander R.
seconding this
4 upvotes
Maria M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
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