All Countries
Emma Martinez
housing
Housing in Coon Rapids compared to Kansas City
The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. TIA! Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
14 upvotes
24 Replies
Sadie Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Matthew King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 10 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Ezekiel Wilson
The food scene here is average. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
34 upvotes
Ellie Patel
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cultural scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Greyson J.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Samuel W.
lol so true
25 upvotes
Josiah Walker
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Willow
+1
23 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Cameron Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
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 developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
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 developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Ezra Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Dylan Ross
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 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 Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
detroit_victoria
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Charlotte Roberts
100%
17 upvotes
Piper King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Mateo Long
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Janet A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Jerry M.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Serenity P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Grace K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Isaiah Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
nyc_brooklyn
facts
8 upvotes
Sarah Mendoza
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes