The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Katherine Ortiz
I work in finance here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Samuel
bump
15 upvotes
Rylee Castillo
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
14 upvotes
Gabriel Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
sacramento_lucy
been saying this for years
12 upvotes
Camila Nguyen
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
portlandheart2022
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Gabriel Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 27, moved here 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
5 upvotes
charlotte_caleb
I've lived in Old Town for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
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