Not sure if this has been asked before, but It's a a small town city with about 13,563 people. The median home value here is around $568,900, which is pretty steep. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Anna Bailey
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
35 upvotes
Mateo Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 48, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. solid 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
34 upvotes
Serenity Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
29 upvotes
Amanda T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Samuel P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
22 upvotes
Hannah Lee
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Houston it's excellent.
21 upvotes
Donna M.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
16 upvotes
Kai Allen
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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