Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 7.4%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $277,100, which seems about average. Crime rate is something to consider -Fridley sits at 316.5 per 100K. Household incomes average around $79,274 in Fridley. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Low taxes
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited nightlife
- High property taxes
- Lack of diversity
- Homelessness issues downtown
Thoughts? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
10 upvotes
17 Replies
Mason Reyes
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
Adrian L.
I'm a HR manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Naomi Nelson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Silas G.
same here
22 upvotes
Reagan Walker
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Colton C.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
20 upvotes
Gabriel N.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much manageable but now it's average.
19 upvotes
Ellie Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Ian Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 13 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are improving. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Madelyn King
exactly what I was thinking
18 upvotes
Dominic Morgan
yep
11 upvotes
Cameron Clark
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Roman Walker
same here
6 upvotes
Piper Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 10 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing 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 biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are pretty 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Gabriella Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. finance 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 hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Jeremiah Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Samuel Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Charlotte about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
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