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Deborah R.
living
What I wish I knew before living in Colfax
Anyone else feel this way? The median home value here is around $82,400, which is actually reasonable.
7 upvotes
9 Replies
Eleanor A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Santiago Turner
This.
38 upvotes
Austin Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. pretty 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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 project manager, 30, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. pretty 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
38 upvotes
Jameson Scott
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Piper Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
nashville_isabelle
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Xavier Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Denver about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Denver about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Clara F.
great question, following
0 upvotes
Bruce P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
0 upvotes