I'm retired and Median household income is $50,675, which feels on the lower side for the area. With a population of 3,105, Marienville is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -Marienville sits at 102.4 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
2 Replies
Hazel Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
36 upvotes
Everly Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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