Longtime lurker here, My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. With a population of 35,772, Inver Grove Heights is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $352,300 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
30 upvotes
15 Replies
Roman H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
36 upvotes
Jeffrey F.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is underrated in most areas.
33 upvotes
Matthew W.
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Denise S.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Riley Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
Ella
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Mason Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Eleanor G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Madeline
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
Josiah Hall
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Adrian Turner
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Eva
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Violet Morris
I work in government here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Jacob King
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Cameron
I've lived in Riverside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
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