So, I'm retired and Homes are going for about $446,100 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,593 for rent here. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low taxes
- Easy commute
- Active local events
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Cold winters
- Lack of diversity
- Mosquitoes and humidity
Does this match your experience? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
18 upvotes
30 Replies
Joseph Thomas
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Andrew E.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Elena
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Cooper Garcia
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Nolan Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
34 upvotes
Scarlett Morgan
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Julia Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Sunset) is manageable 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 Urban sprawl is real.
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.
31 upvotes
Jace
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
29 upvotes
Delilah Phillips
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. 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 safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Easton E.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Genesis
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Hailey Hernandez
this is the way
20 upvotes
Cora Kim
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Uptown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
18 upvotes
Kennedy Chavez
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Carter
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
William
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
9 upvotes
Ariana Cook
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Ezra Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Uptown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
6 upvotes
Jonathan S.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cultural scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Nolan
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Matthew
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
native_bennett73
hard disagree but ok
6 upvotes
Emilia M.
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
Nolan Castillo
hard disagree but ok
5 upvotes
David Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from New York about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Emilia F.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Nashville it's decent.
3 upvotes
Jordan L.
lol so true
2 upvotes
parker_native
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Austin about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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