So, Military spouse here. Rent is about $761/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Aaliyah Turner
I'm a chef and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
Emilia Sanchez
I've lived in Old Town for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Melanie Hernandez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
21 upvotes
jax_elizabeth
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
ryan_vibes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Amelia Ward
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Riley Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
14 upvotes
Scarlett Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Kayden Mendoza
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
All Countries
