Hello, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,039/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
19 upvotes
9 Replies
John Castillo
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 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests 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 decent. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Mia S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
raised_aiden84
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
36 upvotes
Alice R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Evan Diaz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Robert Stewart
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
greyson_life
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
24 upvotes
Rylee T.
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 10 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
21 upvotes
Jaxon A.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
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