Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $117,739 in Ocean Acres. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What are your go-to spots? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Nathan Anderson
this is the way
37 upvotes
Zoey Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix 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 Meadowbrook. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Betty Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
28 upvotes
Stella Thompson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Miami it's tough.
27 upvotes
John Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 4 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Pine Hills schools are better than expected. 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. 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
Wesley Morales
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
24 upvotes
Leo Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Axel A.
Bought a house here in 2020 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
Mateo Thompson
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
13 upvotes
Sophie Carter
I've lived in Old Town for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Abigail Nguyen
following this thread
10 upvotes
Bennett Murphy
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Austin K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Lydia Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 44, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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