Hey folks, I've been here for 8 years and It's a a small town city with about 10,699 people. With a population of 10,699, Orono is a small town. You can expect to pay around $1,150 for rent here. The median home value here is around $219,200, which is actually reasonable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? Appreciate any input. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
3 Replies
Bobby R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
40 upvotes
Kaylee P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in West and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
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 traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
31 upvotes
la_ella
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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