Hello, I've been here for 15 years and Median household income is $58,264, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $198,700 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,361 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
Pros:
- Diverse community
- Easy commute
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
Does this match your experience? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
mountain_lillian19
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 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Charlotte Allen
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Julia C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
32 upvotes
Aurora Walker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Emmett Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Liam Cox
Bought a house here in 2024 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
Autumn Reyes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Sophia Alvarez
it depends on the neighborhood
18 upvotes
Colton Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
18 upvotes
Cora Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Evan Mendoza
+1
11 upvotes
Piper Cox
yep
10 upvotes
William Cooper
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Parker Martinez
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Lucas
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
All Countries
