Median household income is $98,880, which feels pretty solid for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
17 Replies
Madelyn Allen
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Meadowbrook area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Skylar Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 27, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
39 upvotes
Ariana Peterson
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 solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
37 upvotes
Isabelle Cook
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Kayden C.
following this thread
30 upvotes
Arthur S.
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 10 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts 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 underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Hannah Patel
seconding this
29 upvotes
Grace Morgan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Greyson
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Hazel Parker
lol so true
26 upvotes
Waylon Ramos
facts
22 upvotes
Bennett Cruz
Used to live on the East side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Peyton Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Ella Kelly
This.
20 upvotes
Adam Taylor
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
15 upvotes
Luca Patel
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
Scarlett W.
Bought a house here in 2021 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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