Longtime lurker here, Rent is about $2,221/month for a decent place. Median household income is $157,737, which feels pretty solid for the area. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
18 upvotes
28 Replies
Peyton C.
Moved here from LA about 13 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Noah Ramirez
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
39 upvotes
Grace Reed
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: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Isaac Clark
Moved here from Austin about 10 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to nightlife but Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Autumn Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Isaiah Thompson
great question, following
32 upvotes
Sara N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
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. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. tough 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 growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
29 upvotes
Ruby Campbell
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Wyatt J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Daniel Edwards
thanks for sharing
25 upvotes
Cora Bennett
Moved here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cost of living but Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Lillian Torres
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
Kai James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
22 upvotes
Alice H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Carol H.
I've lived in Westside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Leah
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Sophie Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Emma M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Midtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
12 upvotes
Axel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
10 upvotes
Lillian Collins
big facts right here
10 upvotes
Piper Cox
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jameson T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Salt Lake City it's tough.
7 upvotes
Savannah Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
4 upvotes
mateo_lover
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Harold K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
2 upvotes
Jonathan C.
This.
2 upvotes
Joshua G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
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