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Victoria G. living

Life in Orono as a young professional

Hello, Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,150/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thoughts? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes

3 Replies

William Johnson
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Mason Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
30 upvotes
Sadie W.
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
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