Hey folks, I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $760/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 1,403 people. With a population of 1,403, Coon Rapids is a small town. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Appreciate any input. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Levi S.
yeah no that's not right
39 upvotes
Luna Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 50, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Violet Mendoza
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Ethan C.
Moved here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to community vibe but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Emma Lee
+1
26 upvotes
Elijah Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Peyton Wilson
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Henry Phillips
Moved here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to housing market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Landon A.
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Adeline J.
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Skylar Cruz
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. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
10 upvotes
atlwalker2023
I'm a lawyer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Adam Adams
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
7 upvotes
Ryan S.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Lakewood area are average. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Parker Thompson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
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