Hello, We're a young couple and With a population of 51,054, Troy is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $192,500, which is actually reasonable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
30 upvotes
13 Replies
Dominic
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
portlandlover2022
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Elijah Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 13 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Colton Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are solid. 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Christian Flores
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Vivian Martin
Moved here from Atlanta about 8 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to weather but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
jaxlocal2026
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
18 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
16 upvotes
nola_ariana
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is challenging in most areas.
13 upvotes
Adam
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 13 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in South and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. tough 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
12 upvotes
Aubrey Phillips
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Nevaeh Adams
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
2 upvotes
Grace Mendoza
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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