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Aria Morales living

Is Irmo getting better or worse?

I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $85,137, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 11,799 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes

8 Replies

denver_daniel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a writer who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
joseph_life
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Lily White
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Hailey E.
I've lived in Westside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The walkability scene is excellent

The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Easton Evans
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to San Francisco it's hit or miss.
22 upvotes
coastal_piper98
this is the way
17 upvotes
John Richardson
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Thomas Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
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