Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. You can expect to pay around $3,478 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 22,866 people. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
15 upvotes
8 Replies
Samuel Walker
Moved here from Seattle about 3 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to food scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Evan Stewart
100%
22 upvotes
Lily White
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Sophia E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 57, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
12 upvotes
Donna J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Minneapolis it's tough.
10 upvotes
Adeline S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Lauren K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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