My family moved here when I was a kid. Median household income is $61,216, which feels about average for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thanks in advance! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
19 upvotes
26 Replies
Julia W.
spot on
37 upvotes
bostonlocal2020
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 10 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes 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 challenging. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Oliver Miller
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Chloe Sanchez
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Cynthia J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Dominic Nelson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Seattle it's challenging.
31 upvotes
Mateo Gonzalez
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Santiago Morris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's tough.
28 upvotes
Henry Wilson
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Jacob R.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Uptown area are improving. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Kinsley Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Ashley O.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much developing but now it's improving.
24 upvotes
Delilah Baker
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Sofia Clark
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Riley Gray
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Maverick
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
17 upvotes
Alexander Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 36, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
16 upvotes
Natalie Robinson
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..
15 upvotes
Brooklyn C.
same here
14 upvotes
Aaron Gutierrez
I'm a contractor and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
William M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Uptown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
11 upvotes
Mateo Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Leo White
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.
6 upvotes
Jayden Peterson
lol so true
5 upvotes
Angela J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Oliver P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
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