Random thought, It's a a small town city with about 22,302 people. Poverty rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,898/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks in advance! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Chloe Robinson
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor recreation is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Eli Cruz
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Bella Adams
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is decent in most areas.
35 upvotes
Zoey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 5 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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. Uptown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Rising rent and home prices. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Waylon
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Jose Hernandez
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Easton
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
28 upvotes
local_grace35
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Ezekiel James
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Easton Ruiz
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Hunter Alvarez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Fairview area are underrated. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Sadie S.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
All Countries
