I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $116,794, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $774,100, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $774,100 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
3 upvotes
24 Replies
dallasmama2026
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
39 upvotes
Landon
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Portland it's tough.
34 upvotes
nashville_eliana
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
29 upvotes
Levi R.
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Riley Adams
I've lived in Downtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Zoey G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
William Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
26 upvotes
Olivia M.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
23 upvotes
Benjamin M.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Elijah Ward
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Eleanor J.
yep
18 upvotes
Quinn K.
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
sunny_skylar72
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Atlanta it's excellent.
15 upvotes
Audrey W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Silas Johnson
+1
13 upvotes
Barbara N.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Julia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Arianna Parker
great question, following
9 upvotes
Sean G.
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 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Old Town schools are pretty 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Autumn W.
facts
3 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Jeremiah Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
3 upvotes
Elijah Carter
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Grace Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. average 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 San Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
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