I'm retired and Crime rate is something to consider -Methuen Town sits at 187.3 per 100K. Homes are going for about $472,200 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
26 upvotes
18 Replies
Emilia Wright
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
40 upvotes
Kai Ramos
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 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains 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 decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Axel Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Portland, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
austinlife2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Lydia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Westside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. hit or miss 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
34 upvotes
Bella E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Maverick Patel
literally same
29 upvotes
Sadie Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Ryan Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Carter P.
bump
23 upvotes
Stella Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Ethan Scott
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Allison C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government 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 improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Sophia Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
James C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
10 upvotes
Natalie Cooper
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Fairview area are excellent. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Jeremiah Collins
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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