I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $1,003,300 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
16 Replies
Silas Green
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Santiago Alvarez
yeah no that's not right
39 upvotes
native_skylar95
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Riverside area are solid. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Jaxon E.
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 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. real estate 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 desert landscapes 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 average. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
loving_nicholas90
100%
31 upvotes
Audrey
facts
29 upvotes
Elena R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Seattle about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
David
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
22 upvotes
Eli H.
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Joseph Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Stephanie M.
Moved here from Boston about 9 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Jayden Clark
Moved here from Portland about 15 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Madelyn
+1
11 upvotes
Brielle Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
1 upvotes
Elena Jackson
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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