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Everett
living
The good and bad of living in Palmer
Hey folks, It's a a small town city with about 1,606 people. Am I wrong here?
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Savannah Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
36 upvotes
Bennett T.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
27 upvotes
Henry
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Christian G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
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. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
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. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
26 upvotes
Arianna
Saving this thread
23 upvotes
Leo Ward
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Colton Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- 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 competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- 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 competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Silas Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
16 upvotes
sd_amelia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Pine Hills and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
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 public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Pine Hills and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
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 public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
12 upvotes
Oliver Thompson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
12 upvotes
Jace Ramirez
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
Jack B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Hazel B.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
5 upvotes
Quinn Perez
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Theodore Adams
it depends on the neighborhood
0 upvotes