Hey folks, I'm a 45-year-old software engineer and Homes are going for about $211,800 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Alexa M.
accurate
36 upvotes
Carson Perez
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Jose Allen
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. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Luke Peterson
Came here for work and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community vibe is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Addison Scott
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Jaxon G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
James W.
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 14 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Madelyn Bailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
santiago_rider
as a local I can confirm
13 upvotes
Nova C.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
sunny_everly88
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
6 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Came here for work and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Weston Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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