Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 67,880 people. The median home value here is around $470,700, which is pretty steep. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Worth the trade-offs?
17 upvotes
15 Replies
Katherine Peterson
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
bostongirl2026
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good airport with direct flights
- The pet-friendliness scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Jordan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
32 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Downtown area are underrated. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Cooper Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 3 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government 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 surprisingly good - 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. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Oliver Ramirez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is solid in most areas.
17 upvotes
Clara
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Downtown area are underrated. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Connor R.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
16 upvotes
Cooper Cruz
I work in legal here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Hunter Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Mary M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 49, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
8 upvotes
James Harris
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Eli Ramirez
I've lived in Greenfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Henry Campbell
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
David
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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