It's a a smaller city city with about 35,219 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Orangevale sits at 453.6 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
5 upvotes
22 Replies
Claire Garcia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Wesley Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
37 upvotes
Douglas R.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Ryan Campbell
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Emilia Phillips
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Miles Flores
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Piper James
honestly same experience here
30 upvotes
Brooks Bailey
following this thread
30 upvotes
Olivia Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Serenity Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Kaylee R.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Valentina Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Alexander Campbell
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
22 upvotes
Isabelle Edwards
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Samuel Davis
haha yep pretty much
18 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
18 upvotes
Alice Martinez
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Andrew Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Bennett Robinson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Maya Clark
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
7 upvotes
Hunter Robinson
I've lived in North for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
jaxnative2022
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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