Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Coon Rapids sits at 83.5 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 63,348 people. Homes are going for about $287,200 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Does this match your experience? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
24 Replies
Silas T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Emmett Wilson
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
atlwalker2021
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Nashville it's average.
34 upvotes
Arianna
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Brooklyn Young
I've lived in South for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Serenity Ramirez
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
33 upvotes
Eleanor M.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Old Town area are challenging. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
cameron_girl
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Benjamin Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
29 upvotes
Valentina Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
28 upvotes
Roy J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Rebecca F.
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Wesley W.
yep
21 upvotes
Eleanor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
21 upvotes
Marilyn H.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
18 upvotes
Ezra Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Phoenix it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Thomas R.
seconding this
16 upvotes
David K.
I work in finance here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Gabriella Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Natalie
100%
9 upvotes
Isabelle Green
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
7 upvotes
Madelyn Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
kc_weston
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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