Alright, Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $1,523 for rent here. Poverty rate is 6.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,523/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 62°F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
47 upvotes
31 Replies
Adeline Wood
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Emma Rivera
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much growing but now it's better than expected.
39 upvotes
living_valentina55
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Reagan Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Downtown schools are underrated. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Leo P.
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Bradley S.
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Emma M.
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. housing market used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
31 upvotes
Charlotte Richardson
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
Jonathan
facts
27 upvotes
John N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
26 upvotes
Jose Patel
I'm a lawyer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Angel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Sunset and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
24 upvotes
Kinsley H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to San Diego it's challenging.
23 upvotes
Madeline Hill
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
21 upvotes
Arianna Smith
great question, following
21 upvotes
Dylan W.
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Carson Howard
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Jeremiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Lydia Rodriguez
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Quinn Williams
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. it exceeded my expectations.
12 upvotes
Scarlett
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
desert_silas60
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Colton Diaz
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Maverick Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Naomi Gutierrez
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Debra M.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
5 upvotes
Gabriel K.
Saving this thread
4 upvotes
sunny_willow79
preach
3 upvotes
Aurora Kelly
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is solid in most areas.
2 upvotes
Stella Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 49, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Old Town and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
All Countries
