First post here. The median home value here is around $343,700, which seems about average. Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks in advance!
28 upvotes
20 Replies
Charlotte Miller
following this thread
38 upvotes
Aaron C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
38 upvotes
Leo Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 13 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
35 upvotes
Aria Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Ian
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
sdwalker2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Henry Nguyen
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Leonardo Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Debra G.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Jordan Gray
facts
20 upvotes
native_easton54
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
20 upvotes
Steven M.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mexican places. it was the best decision I ever made.
15 upvotes
Addison Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 30, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in The Heights and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
14 upvotes
Christian Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Kennedy Smith
I've lived in Old Town for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Nora Cook
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are average. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Anna
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great sushi places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
8 upvotes
Jonathan
I'm a nurse and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Serenity Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 32, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - 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 weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. improving 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
4 upvotes
Adrian
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Springfield area are excellent. Kids love it here.
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