Anyone else feel this way? Just moved here 14 months ago and You can expect to pay around $1,160 for rent here. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. The weather takes some getting used to. Is this normal for Bloomington? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
18 Replies
Dylan K.
Moved here from Portland about 2 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Mason D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Genesis King
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Ethan Ramirez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Wesley Torres
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.
28 upvotes
oaklandrunner2022
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
28 upvotes
Violet S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte 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 Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
William Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Madelyn
Moved here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to walkability but Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Julia A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 58, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Eastside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
26 upvotes
Avery Thomas
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Abigail F.
This.
16 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (South) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
15 upvotes
Piper W.
facts
13 upvotes
Nicholas Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Julia H.
I work in real estate here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Dylan Alvarez
great question, following
4 upvotes
Cora W.
I'm a contractor and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
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