Hi all, Been living here since 2021. Household incomes average around $64,985 in Dubuque. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
18 upvotes
17 Replies
Aria Cruz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Austin it's decent.
38 upvotes
Aubrey Phillips
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Everly
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Minneapolis it's pretty good.
37 upvotes
Delilah B.
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Judy T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Kaylee
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
22 upvotes
Sophie Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
18 upvotes
Lydia R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Wyatt
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Emma Howard
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The food scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Santiago G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Abigail T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Dallas about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Carter R.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Shirley G.
Moved here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Gary M.
underrated comment
4 upvotes
roman_living
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 10 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Piper Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 49, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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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