Anyone else feel this way? Rent is about $869/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Let me know your thoughts.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
john_local
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Connor J.
same here
38 upvotes
Elizabeth Smith
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is solid in most areas.
26 upvotes
Mateo Walker
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Christopher M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from San Diego about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Autumn Allen
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 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 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:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Old Town 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Harper Hall
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Sebastian Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
oaklandrunner2022
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
charlottepapa2023
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Jayden C.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Susan R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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