Hey everyone, I'm retired and Rent is about $1,791/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
19 upvotes
13 Replies
Aubrey Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Miami about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Isla Richardson
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 4 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Brooklyn Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Claire
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Everett
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Alexa C.
following this thread
21 upvotes
Zoey S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 11 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. The Heights 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Willow Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
19 upvotes
Carter Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 50, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. better than expected 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
14 upvotes
Sofia M.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Christian Castillo
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Nova Diaz
lol so true
2 upvotes
alexander_kid
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
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