First post here. I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 11,182 people. Poverty rate is 4.8%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What are your go-to spots? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
6 Replies
Stephanie M.
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 5 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
cool_kinsley19
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Kayden Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Pittsburgh it's underrated.
30 upvotes
Zoey Price
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
peyton_dude
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
29 upvotes
Sophie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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