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Caroline living

Is Dillingham getting better or worse?

Anyone else feel this way? I'm single, late 50s, and Household incomes average around $99,097 in Dillingham. Homes are going for about $306,800 on average. Average temperature is around 37--F, so bundle up in winter. The median home value here is around $306,800, which seems about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.

Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Lots of new development
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options

Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- High property taxes
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
Is this normal for Dillingham? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
14 upvotes

11 Replies

Joseph
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 57, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. tough 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
32 upvotes
Luna S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Julie B.
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Emmett W.
I work in hospitality here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Sebastian Ramos
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
Nova Cook
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
phoenix_easton
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. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Genesis Hernandez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Evan Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 54, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. excellent 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
13 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Brooklyn Y.
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
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