The median home value here is around $867,000, which is pretty steep. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
18 upvotes
18 Replies
Mason J.
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 Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails 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. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jayden Morales
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Denver it's pretty good.
39 upvotes
Jameson Thompson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Olivia P.
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
proud_piper96
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Matthew Diaz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Ellie H.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Southern places. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Carol E.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Aaron Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Lily Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
waylon_dude
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Oliver Adams
wish I knew this sooner
13 upvotes
Zoey T.
underrated comment
11 upvotes
benjamin_girl
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
7 upvotes
austin_vibes
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much developing but now it's average.
6 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
Moved here from Houston about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to housing market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Theodore Martinez
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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