I'm single, late 20s, and It's a a small town city with about 6,606 people. Rent is about $1,177/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Should I be concerned? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Isaiah T.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Sadie M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
39 upvotes
Bella Brown
I work in healthcare here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Aaliyah Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Oliver Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
17 upvotes
Sophia Baker
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
7 upvotes
Kaylee L.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
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