Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $823 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned?
30 upvotes
8 Replies
Jameson Wood
I've lived in Old Town for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Sebastian D.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Aaron Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 52, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
30 upvotes
Liam
I've lived in East for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Alice Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from New York about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
ethan_mama
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
17 upvotes
Amelia Edwards
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Reagan Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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