Hi all, Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,041/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,041 for rent here. Homes are going for about $255,000 on average. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 12,372, Palmer Town is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thoughts? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Avery Morgan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
Moved here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Michael Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and Midtown, 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. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Portland, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
35 upvotes
Adeline Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Isabelle Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Peyton Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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