Hi all, The median home value here is around $187,600, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Hermitage sits at 161.1 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cheers.
6 upvotes
8 Replies
cool_roman64
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 3 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes 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 excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Danielle R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Zoe
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Pine Hills schools are solid. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Angela C.
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Savannah B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Paisley B.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Violet Robinson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
happy_katherine94
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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