Alright, I work in real estate and It's a a small town city with about 14,874 people. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What would you do? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Harper
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
40 upvotes
Gianna B.
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Leah M.
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Genesis Bennett
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Savannah Lopez
I work in manufacturing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is improving. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Sadie Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
oaklandgirl2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 47, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
27 upvotes
Connor H.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
27 upvotes
Maya Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Reagan King
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great sushi places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
22 upvotes
Ian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Nora Jones
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Leo Hall
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Carter A.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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