First post here. Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $598,100 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
19 upvotes
30 Replies
Everly Brooks
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Isaiah Peterson
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Midtown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Willow N.
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
lydia_papa
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Joseph Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 27, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in South and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - 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 job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The food scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Hunter Alvarez
great question, following
32 upvotes
Hannah Evans
bump
32 upvotes
William Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Colton G.
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Aubrey
I've lived in West for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Clara Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are hit or miss. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Axel
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
25 upvotes
Jacob King
spot on
22 upvotes
Kai Carter
I work in legal here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
seattle_aria
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Leah Scott
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Luca Gutierrez
underrated comment
19 upvotes
isaac_fan
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Autumn Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Madelyn Morales
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Maple Ridge area are solid. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
atl_julian
this is the way
13 upvotes
Allison Long
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Samuel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are hit or miss. 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 walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Gabriel C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Isabella Rogers
it depends on the neighborhood
8 upvotes
Anna C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Robert Robinson
yep
2 upvotes
Ian Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
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