Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from Austin and Poverty rate is 6.2%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What are your go-to spots? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
21 upvotes
28 Replies
Nicholas Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
nola_evan
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Nicholas Carter
I've lived in Old Town for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Aiden W.
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
Valentina Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Austin it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Theresa A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Nathan Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Kyle M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Nathan Mitchell
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
phillyheart2021
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
phoenixwalker2026
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Christian W.
underrated comment
25 upvotes
Peyton Green
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Brooklyn R.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
stlrider2021
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Theodore Ramirez
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Ann W.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
18 upvotes
charlotte_avery
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Madelyn Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Ian
same here
15 upvotes
Leah R.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
14 upvotes
Elizabeth
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 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes 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 excellent. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Kaylee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Alice Sanchez
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Ava G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
7 upvotes
Jayden Long
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Roman Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 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:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
