Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here. With a population of 6,835, Darnestown is a small town. What would you do?
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Sarah Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 26, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. tough 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Clara Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 42, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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
Victoria Kelly
Moved here from Tampa about 12 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Evan Hughes
I work in real estate here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Susan C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Portland it's better than expected.
5 upvotes
local_easton22
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Austin it's pretty good.
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