Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 24,188 people. Median household income is $67,212, which feels about average for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
3 upvotes
6 Replies
Stella H.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
29 upvotes
Isabella Turner
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
stlmind2021
spot on
21 upvotes
chill_eli72
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Austin about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Ian Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
14 upvotes
Brian C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Miami it's solid.
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