I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $59,588, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Del Rio sits at 105.7 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
30 upvotes
25 Replies
Jonathan J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
40 upvotes
David K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Jonathan Wood
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
Clara
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Dallas about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
philly_declan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 42, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Andrew Jimenez
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
30 upvotes
Luca Price
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Zoey Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is tough in most areas.
27 upvotes
Camila King
I'm a teacher and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Caroline Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Carter Hughes
Came here for school and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Nevaeh
lol so true
16 upvotes
Wesley
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Samuel Brown
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
Noah Roberts
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Ian Wilson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
Abigail M.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Asher Gonzalez
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 14 years. Moved from Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 underrated. 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Axel Cruz
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Lily C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Harper Hernandez
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Xavier Patel
I've lived in Sunset for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Emmett Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Gianna Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
Mackenzie Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
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