Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 56°F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $165,200 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this?
12 upvotes
23 Replies
Benjamin Reyes
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Axel F.
preach
39 upvotes
Colton Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Atlanta about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Savannah Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Amelia Gonzalez
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
33 upvotes
dallas_lucy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Sophie White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Katherine
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
29 upvotes
Christian Gray
seconding this
29 upvotes
Aria Garcia
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Emilia Davis
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Jacob Perez
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 3 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Piper C.
good to know, thanks
20 upvotes
Adam Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Atlanta about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Jonathan Brooks
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
15 upvotes
Ethan King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Matthew L.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
Cora K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
11 upvotes
Eli B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is excellent in most areas.
4 upvotes
Bennett Perez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Aaliyah Morales
yeah no that's not right
2 upvotes
cool_valentina90
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
2 upvotes
Alice Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
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