Hi all, Been living here since 2013. Rent is about $762/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $81,700 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thoughts?
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Ellie Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Natalie
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The job market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Ella Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 37, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. solid 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
30 upvotes
Leah T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Leah R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Minneapolis it's average.
27 upvotes
Easton P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is decent in most areas.
27 upvotes
Lillian Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Dallas about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Alexa
I've lived in Old Town for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Elena
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
16 upvotes
Nova H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
7 upvotes
Waylon T.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Addison T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
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