Anyone else feel this way? I'm a nurse at the local hospital and It's a a small town city with about 7,515 people. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? TIA! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Parker Jones
exactly what I was thinking
35 upvotes
Mason T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Ethan Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Landon Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
31 upvotes
local_grayson89
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Hailey Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Riverside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
22 upvotes
Mackenzie
facts
18 upvotes
Nova Allen
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
14 upvotes
Bennett Lopez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Houston it's average.
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