I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $178,900 on average. The unemployment rate is 10.5%, which is concerning. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Should I be concerned? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Hunter H.
yep
38 upvotes
Genesis Ramos
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 1 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Lydia Cook
lol so true
28 upvotes
raised_christian21
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
Wesley Peterson
Used to live on the South side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Lydia Jimenez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Ethan Sanders
+1
17 upvotes
Violet Cooper
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's hit or miss.
17 upvotes
Kai Myers
+1
16 upvotes
Audrey Robinson
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
15 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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