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Camila Gomez living

Raising a family in Tolar -thoughts?

Hey, I'm a 24-year-old sales rep and Median household income is $81,818, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Is this normal for Tolar? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
15 upvotes

15 Replies

Autumn Scott
thanks for sharing
38 upvotes
Cynthia J.
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
Wesley Ramirez
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The pet-friendliness is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Dominic Hughes
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Landon Chavez
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
Luke P.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
30 upvotes
Amy W.
Moved here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to school system but Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Kai Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 58, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
24 upvotes
Andrew Kim
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Lauren R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
20 upvotes
mia_rider
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Melanie M.
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
Bennett James
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Jayden Davis
Totally agree!
1 upvotes
Piper Watson
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Sunset area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
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