Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 5.4%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $73,455, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Lawrence sits at 360.1 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Does this match your experience? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
21 upvotes
4 Replies
Adrian R.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
39 upvotes
Judith J.
I've lived in Old Town for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
theodore_chef
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Angel Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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