OK so Average temperature is around 62°F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Would love some local perspective. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
26 upvotes
15 Replies
Ezra
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Greyson G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Jordan Thomas
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
nola_everly
This.
35 upvotes
Paisley Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is tough in most areas.
33 upvotes
Willow Collins
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Julia R.
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 6 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Abigail D.
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Harper Cook
facts
25 upvotes
Weston Long
honestly same experience here
24 upvotes
Evelyn Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
16 upvotes
madeline_rider
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Sarah
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
11 upvotes
Eleanor Mitchell
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
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