Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Median household income is $68,042, which feels about average for the area. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What do you all think? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
29 upvotes
13 Replies
Evelyn Sanchez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Jackson F.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Jeremiah Scott
accurate
31 upvotes
river_waylon8
bump
27 upvotes
Miles Smith
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Weston Anderson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
living_nevaeh42
yep
24 upvotes
stlpapa2022
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Lucas Wood
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Jaxon Gomez
same here
20 upvotes
Asher G.
+1
18 upvotes
Joshua J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Old Town and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
7 upvotes
Patricia H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Uptown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
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