Curious what people think. I'm originally from Phoenix and It's a a major city city with about 8.5M people. The median home value here is around $751,700, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I wrong here? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
52 upvotes
25 Replies
Kennedy Chavez
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Anna
Moved here last year, no regrets.
39 upvotes
Nolan Mendoza
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Abigail H.
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Aubrey Cooper
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
facts
30 upvotes
Gabriel Adams
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is underrated in most areas.
27 upvotes
Carter M.
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Christian Watson
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Rylee P.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Indian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
Violet
I'm a HR manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Sebastian Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from LA about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
real_jonathan52
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Evan Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
19 upvotes
atl_kai
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Eli T.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The public transit is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
milwaukeechef2023
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is solid in most areas.
14 upvotes
Sarah Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Lawrence G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is decent in most areas.
12 upvotes
Helen M.
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Evelyn Perez
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Nicholas W.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
chicagonative2024
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 a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails 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 underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Gabriella Ruiz
not my experience at all
2 upvotes
happy_john93
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
All Countries
