My partner and I are Household incomes average around $56,994 in Ottumwa. The median home value here is around $92,400, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 14.0%, which is around average. With a population of 25,352, Ottumwa is a smaller city. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Has anyone dealt with this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
2 upvotes
4 Replies
Eliana W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
39 upvotes
Barbara K.
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Carter Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. pretty good 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
11 upvotes
chill_wyatt53
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
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