First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 8,279 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think?
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Leonardo Sanchez
same here
39 upvotes
Scarlett Rivera
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
35 upvotes
Parker Miller
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
33 upvotes
Anna R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
denver_logan
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
Nora Rogers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Kinsley M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Eleanor Gray
I've lived in Old Town for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Brooks Perez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
real_skylar34
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 8 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. West 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Sofia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Maverick Moore
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. weather used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
0 upvotes
Willow Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
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