Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $244,000 on average. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a small town city with about 1,889 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Limited nightlife
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
- Far from major airports
Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks for reading. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Greyson Collins
following this thread
40 upvotes
Claire Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. decent 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
39 upvotes
Isla Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
wild_ezekiel38
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 54, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
36 upvotes
Brooks Perez
nah I disagree
34 upvotes
Zoe P.
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Declan Foster
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Angel Diaz
underrated comment
25 upvotes
Gerald H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 55, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
24 upvotes
Cooper M.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Mary K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Melanie
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Ava Garcia
preach
11 upvotes
Addison Rodriguez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
10 upvotes
Kai Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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