My partner and I are Household incomes average around $59,118 in Blue Earth. Crime rate is something to consider -Blue Earth sits at 64.3 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What are your go-to spots? TIA! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila K.
accurate
38 upvotes
Victoria Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Nolan Moore
This.
38 upvotes
wild_violet50
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Portland it's challenging.
34 upvotes
Nicholas T.
Moved here from Boston about 14 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Abigail R.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
James Ross
seconding this
17 upvotes
Paisley M.
honestly same experience here
17 upvotes
Aubrey Williams
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
James Jones
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Matthew M.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much established but now it's challenging.
10 upvotes
Violet T.
I've lived in South for about 8 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 Pittsburgh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Owen Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in West and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
5 upvotes
Harper Moore
Moved here from Miami about 1 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to dating scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Colton R.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
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