Hello, I've been here for 10 years and It's a a smaller city city with about 38,447 people. You can expect to pay around $951 for rent here. The median home value here is around $186,300, which is actually reasonable. With a population of 38,447, Urbana is a smaller city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Great weather
- Diverse community
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Chain restaurants dominate
What do you all think? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
5 upvotes
20 Replies
Peyton B.
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 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal 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 tough - we have rivers 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 excellent. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Weston Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Andrea C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
preach
37 upvotes
proud_jack31
following this thread
33 upvotes
Liam Gutierrez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Alexander Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Zoey Gonzalez
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
27 upvotes
Addison Rodriguez
I'm a accountant and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Clara
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
26 upvotes
Everett Hill
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Jose R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Emmett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Aria Chavez
accurate
21 upvotes
Ian O.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Abigail D.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's challenging.
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Miller
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Justin C.
I'm a teacher and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Noah Gonzalez
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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