Been meaning to ask this. Poverty rate is 9.7%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Eaton sits at 73.8 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $769 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Is this normal for Eaton? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up.
10 upvotes
6 Replies
Aria C.
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Ellie Jackson
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
24 upvotes
Scarlett Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Dallas about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Nolan Mitchell
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
9 upvotes
Maya Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
austin_lily
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 8 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. 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. Old Town schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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