Hey everyone, Been living here since 2019. The median home value here is around $626,700, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a small town city with about 14,986 people. 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. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
5 upvotes
4 Replies
Jonathan Gray
facts
31 upvotes
stlmama2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
24 upvotes
Aaron Cruz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Jeremiah C.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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