Hi all, Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $108,200, which is actually reasonable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs?
9 upvotes
25 Replies
Randy S.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much affordable but now it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Julia C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Madeline Lee
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Liam Harris
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Julia R.
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Liam Cox
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Dominic Hughes
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Eleanor Long
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is improving in most areas.
31 upvotes
Landon
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Grace Castillo
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Kaylee G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Alyssa C.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
oaklandsoul2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 24, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
22 upvotes
Eva W.
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Maya Martinez
interesting, hadn't considered that
20 upvotes
Samuel R.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The dating scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
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 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails 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 average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Mason
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
Declan A.
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Natalie M.
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
3 upvotes
Eli Morris
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
2 upvotes
Everett Richardson
I'm a social worker and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
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