First post here. I've been here for 17 years and Poverty rate is 9.3%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,082/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 345K people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
5 Replies
Santiago King
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
40 upvotes
Carson L.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Everly M.
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Theodore Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
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