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Xavier M. best-worst

Telford vs Austin -which is better?

Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $86,797, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $302,200, which seems about average. It's a a small town city with about 4,814 people. With a population of 4,814, Telford is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. TIA! The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
8 upvotes

12 Replies

Ruby C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Cooper Robinson
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The job market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Eliana Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 29, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
37 upvotes
Savannah H.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The walkability is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Elijah Ortiz
I've lived in Highland for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Adam Wilson
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The outdoor recreation is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
dc_christian
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a electrician who relocated here from Charlotte about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.

Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Aubrey Hall
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Nora O.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.

Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Piper Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Uptown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.

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.
7 upvotes
Jaxon Wood
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
5 upvotes
Nevaeh Clark
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
4 upvotes
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