Hi all, I'm a teacher here and With a population of 37,589, New Albany is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $54,152, which feels on the lower side for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. What would you do? TIA! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
12 upvotes
17 Replies
Benjamin R.
lol so true
40 upvotes
Ruby Lopez
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Nashville, 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
- Good internet infrastructure
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Zoey T.
Moved here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to dating scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Ian Parker
I work in legal here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Michael Cox
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Adeline S.
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Jason W.
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Wesley Torres
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
31 upvotes
Grace Phillips
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Skylar Brooks
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
19 upvotes
Eli Flores
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Ethan Brown
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Charlotte Reed
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is solid in most areas.
11 upvotes
Maverick R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Lillian
yep
7 upvotes
Weston M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Cameron Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 10 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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