First post here. My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 0.9%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Appreciate any input. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
10 Replies
Weston Wood
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
39 upvotes
Wesley T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
29 upvotes
Natalie
I work in construction here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Adeline Hill
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Landon Williams
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Jace Long
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 12 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality 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 solid - we have lakes 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 challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Anna P.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Landon M.
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Joyce J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
local_connor51
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 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:**
real estate 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Downtown schools are decent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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