Median household income is $100,997, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I overthinking this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development.
28 upvotes
23 Replies
Madeline H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Axel Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Tampa it's tough.
40 upvotes
Betty G.
I've lived in Eastside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Allison M.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
38 upvotes
Mason
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Greenfield area are tough. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
lucas_girl
I work in government here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Isabella Richardson
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Willow Gray
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
32 upvotes
Allison W.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
31 upvotes
Ruby
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. the quality of life is solid.
24 upvotes
Hannah Ramos
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
Valentina R.
I've lived in West for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Hannah C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
Matthew L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
17 upvotes
brielle_life
I work in manufacturing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Isaiah Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Miami about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Lily Robinson
bump
8 upvotes
Ellie Harris
I work in construction here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is decent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Cooper Baker
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Luke Kim
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The weather is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Kyle B.
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Madeline Ross
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 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers 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 solid. 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
Nevaeh Hall
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
All Countries
