Anyone else feel this way? I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thanks for reading.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Adeline Gomez
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
35 upvotes
Declan G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Daniel T.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Benjamin C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Sarah Sanchez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
14 upvotes
Peyton King
yep
12 upvotes
Ann R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Grayson
same here
3 upvotes
Carol R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Sunset and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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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