Hey folks, It's a a small town city with about 16,097 people. Poverty rate is 25.6%, which is higher than I expected. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Nicholas M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Elijah Williams
spot on
33 upvotes
Aiden M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Eleanor C.
Moved here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Amanda B.
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 8 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 1-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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains 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 underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Xavier
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
22 upvotes
Julia C.
great question, following
17 upvotes
kcchef2022
facts
13 upvotes
Grace T.
Totally agree!
13 upvotes
William Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
Peyton Cruz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Luna C.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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