Longtime lurker here, Poverty rate is 4.3%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,379 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Forest Lake sits at 146.7 per 100K. Household incomes average around $89,879 in Forest Lake. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks for reading. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Peyton Foster
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Ella W.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Dominic Roberts
facts
16 upvotes
Jeremiah
as a local I can confirm
12 upvotes
Jayden Morris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Claire Ramos
Moved here from Baltimore about 7 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Landon Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 24, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Uptown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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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