Hello, We have two kids and Household incomes average around $127,732 in Eden Prairie. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thanks in advance!
20 upvotes
29 Replies
boston_serenity
Moved here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to weather but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
seattle_zoe
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
anna_life
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
39 upvotes
Christian Ramos
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Korean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
Wyatt Castillo
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Cameron W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Jack R.
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
good to know, thanks
31 upvotes
Anna Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Santiago Price
seconding this
30 upvotes
Austin Lewis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
27 upvotes
Ellie Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. solid 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
25 upvotes
Miles
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The job market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Sophia Torres
I'm a contractor and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Sophie Bennett
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Sofia
I work in legal here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Sophia M.
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Alice
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
lake_carter57
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
11 upvotes
Brooklyn Perez
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are excellent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Stella Kim
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
9 upvotes
Audrey G.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Quinn R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
7 upvotes
Oliver Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Allison Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
4 upvotes
Liam Chavez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
3 upvotes
Jack Parker
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
1 upvotes
Wesley Rogers
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Springfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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