The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Has anyone dealt with this? The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
18 upvotes
9 Replies
Lydia Edwards
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to LA it's challenging.
31 upvotes
nashvilleguy2025
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
lake_mason26
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
27 upvotes
Jordan B.
same here
20 upvotes
hailey_heart
thanks for sharing
19 upvotes
Piper W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Dallas it's solid.
19 upvotes
Axel Cooper
Saving this thread
0 upvotes
Roman Castillo
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. I love the pace of life here.
0 upvotes
Charlotte Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 45, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
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