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Grayson Morales
moving
Moving to Centerville with kids -good idea?
Been meaning to ask this. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance! The suburbs are where most families end up.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Willow Ramos
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Levi Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
mesamind2025
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
25 upvotes
Savannah Hill
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
24 upvotes
Joseph Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Audrey Morales
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
13 upvotes
Emmett Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
loving_everly78
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Beverly R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 11 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in The Heights for 11 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Jace Martin
preach
11 upvotes
Asher Clark
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
James L.
seconding this
3 upvotes