Curious what people think. I'm originally from St. Louis and You can expect to pay around $1,067 for rent here. Rent is about $1,067/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 7.5%, which is concerning. Homes are going for about $275,400 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
1 upvotes
10 Replies
Aria D.
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Daniel D.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Joseph Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 36, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
28 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Austin Murphy
it depends on the neighborhood
20 upvotes
Elizabeth Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
17 upvotes
Roman H.
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 13 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Jeremiah
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Emilia
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Ellie G.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's decent.
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