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Robert L.
housing
Rent vs buy in Ione -what makes sense?
Curious what people think. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs?
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Everett M.
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Allison
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
30 upvotes
Adrian H.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in North area are excellent. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Ellie P.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
21 upvotes
James B.
honestly same experience here
19 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
seconding this
15 upvotes
Melanie Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. West schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. West schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
James
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
nyc_jaxon
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
7 upvotes
Hailey Johnson
preach
6 upvotes
Kaylee Gomez
I'm a teacher and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes