First post here. I'm single, late 40s, and With a population of 11,153, Urbana is a small town. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thoughts?
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Hudson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
38 upvotes
Everly M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
37 upvotes
Leah G.
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
Gabriella Hughes
Moved here from New York about 3 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Sadie Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Olivia Bennett
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is average and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Charlotte Rivera
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Ruby Foster
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
indy_kinsley
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Lawrence B.
bump
10 upvotes
dc_waylon
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
9 upvotes
Luke Reed
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
detroitheart2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
8 upvotes
Randy R.
I've lived in North for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
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