First post here. Rent is about $861/month for a decent place. Median household income is $45,194, which feels on the lower side for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Delilah Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
37 upvotes
Victoria Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. tough 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Everett Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Theodore Carter
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Maverick Jimenez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Emily G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Olivia P.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's excellent.
23 upvotes
Naomi Watson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Zoey Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Nicholas James
nah I disagree
11 upvotes
Charlotte Cook
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
Wesley Cook
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much wild but now it's improving.
5 upvotes
Jameson M.
haha yep pretty much
4 upvotes
Aria Y.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Miami it's challenging.
3 upvotes
Brooklyn Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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