Hey folks, I'm single, late 30s, and The median home value here is around $505,800, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. You can expect to pay around $1,507 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. With a population of 10,816, Montgomery is a small town. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any advice would be great. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
7 Replies
tampa_audrey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
33 upvotes
Thomas L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 29, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
26 upvotes
Grayson Baker
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Caroline Long
Bought a house here in 2019 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
Jaxon Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Scarlett Hughes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Connor Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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