Alright, I'm originally from Albuquerque and It's a a small town city with about 17,919 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. 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.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Kennedy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Theodore
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
36 upvotes
Nova Ward
facts
33 upvotes
Emilia Cox
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Brooklyn M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Riley W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Jonathan Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Katherine Nguyen
I work in real estate here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is underrated. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Charlotte Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Peyton Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 39, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
10 upvotes
Clara C.
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Caroline Parker
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Greenfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Aaliyah Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
0 upvotes
savannah_mama
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The outdoor recreation scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
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