Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and With a population of 2,629, Jarrettsville is a small town. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Should I be concerned? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Helen B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 52, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
38 upvotes
Kayden J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
jayden_dude
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 Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts 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 better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Axel James
Bought a house here in 2015 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
29 upvotes
Eliana Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Nathan Smith
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Evan G.
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Leo Ross
great question, following
20 upvotes
Lucy Morris
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Joseph Wood
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Hannah
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
Arianna Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking 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 hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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