Hey folks, You can expect to pay around $1,252 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 39,491 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
29 upvotes
20 Replies
Arianna Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Henry A.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Violet Cooper
I work in marketing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Bella M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
34 upvotes
Sofia Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Andrew Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
32 upvotes
Amelia C.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
30 upvotes
Emma James
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Henry P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
minneapolislife2024
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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
Lydia Perez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The housing market is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Kayden W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Jameson
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Declan Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 14 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Michael Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Aubrey Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
9 upvotes
Everly
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
7 upvotes
Gianna L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 38, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in West and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
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