Anyone else feel this way? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
loving_samuel55
I've lived in Old Town for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Adeline Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 28, moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Springfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
36 upvotes
Riley
big facts right here
35 upvotes
addison_guy
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Dylan Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Nevaeh Gray
I've lived in Uptown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Nathan T.
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Aaron Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 2 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts 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 decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Savannah M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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 shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Ellie Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
sdchef2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
12 upvotes
Alexander Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
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