Just moved here 3 months ago and It's a a smaller city city with about 33,448 people. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts. Any help is appreciated. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Hunter Carter
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Paisley M.
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. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Adam Miller
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
32 upvotes
Genesis Bailey
Moved here from Phoenix about 13 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to walkability but No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Nicholas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Julia Stewart
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Grace H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
17 upvotes
Quinn Turner
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Vivian W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Olivia Peterson
100%
9 upvotes
Maverick Jimenez
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Leo Brown
Bought a house here in 2016 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
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