Been meaning to ask this. I'm originally from St. Louis and Household incomes average around $128,167 in Centennial. Homes are going for about $626,700 on average. With a population of 107K, Centennial is a mid-size city. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
17 upvotes
13 Replies
minneapolisrider2026
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Everly Ruiz
exactly what I was thinking
37 upvotes
Levi Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Wesley P.
thanks for sharing
34 upvotes
Aria Martinez
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Janice K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
23 upvotes
Luca B.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Ian Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
20 upvotes
Gabriella
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Caleb P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 12 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Valentina R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Ruby Anderson
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
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