Been meaning to ask this. I'm retired and Rent is about $1,207/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 70--F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Elena T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 45, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in The Heights and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Isabelle
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (North) is pricey 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 Nightlife is limited.
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
Jacob Mendoza
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Claire Cruz
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Billy B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Eliana Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
raised_joshua60
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Everly D.
Came here for family and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Aria
Moved here from Baltimore about 5 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to school system but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Ryan Cook
Came here for family and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Adeline Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
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