I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $1,246 for rent here. The median home value here is around $374,100, which seems about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Mateo Kim
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
39 upvotes
Clara Lopez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
35 upvotes
Alan W.
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Wesley Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
stlsoul2024
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 6 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking 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 better than expected. 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. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Eleanor J.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Southern places. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
Anna Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Brian R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Autumn Flores
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in South area are challenging. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Emma Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Jordan
I've lived in Old Town for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Delilah G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
8 upvotes
Zoe Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Melanie P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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