I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a small town city with about 9,812 people. Poverty rate is 11.0%, which is around average. Median household income is $58,596, which feels about average for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Mia Gomez
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Julia Hill
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
indywalker2025
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Gabriel Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
local_charlotte57
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 5 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 surprisingly 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Bella P.
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Mason Ward
I've lived in South for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Alexa Bennett
literally same
13 upvotes
Lucy Wright
yep
12 upvotes
Isabella Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Kai Gonzalez
Moved here from Miami about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to public transit but Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Jacob
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Mateo
thanks for sharing
2 upvotes
Isla Hill
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
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