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Ava Thomas living

Life in Oak Ridge as a young professional

Hi all, Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up.
14 upvotes

7 Replies

detroit_michael
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Atlanta it's challenging.
40 upvotes
Isaiah T.
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
39 upvotes
James Cruz
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
37 upvotes
Easton Thompson
nah I disagree
30 upvotes
Ryan M.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Adeline Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
5 upvotes
Joshua M.
seconding this
0 upvotes
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