First post here. I work in media and It's a a small town city with about 14,229 people. Household incomes average around $191,250 in Powell. Median household income is $191,250, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks for reading. 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. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Joshua
same here
36 upvotes
Megan R.
+1
34 upvotes
Emilia B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 49, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in West and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. improving 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 Phoenix, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
33 upvotes
Anna R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Paisley Hill
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Genesis
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Brielle Sanchez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
23 upvotes
Logan Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Ronald R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Cameron
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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. Pine Hills schools are pretty good. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
lamama2021
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
1 upvotes
Nicholas W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
1 upvotes
Jordan Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.