Alright, I work in insurance and Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $102,201 in Sandy. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
15 upvotes
11 Replies
Charlotte W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Waylon
I work in engineering here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Sarah M.
Moved here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
kennedy_mind
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much wild but now it's improving.
30 upvotes
Sean B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
18 upvotes
Audrey Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
15 upvotes
Gabriel Smith
couldn't agree more
14 upvotes
Audrey 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 8 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Old Town schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Hudson Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Wesley Moore
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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