Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and With a population of 32,543, Garner is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $320,300 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,452 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Wyatt R.
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Elijah P.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
29 upvotes
indy_andrew
literally same
28 upvotes
Olivia W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Avery Brown
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Cora R.
same here
20 upvotes
Isabelle Scott
Moved here from Chicago about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cost of living but Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Theodore Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Levi N.
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 14 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches 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 underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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