Random thought, Poverty rate is 5.6%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Samuel T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Michael C.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
32 upvotes
urban_david20
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
29 upvotes
Stephen C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in The Heights and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
26 upvotes
Jordan Thomas
hard disagree but ok
26 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Baltimore it's average.
23 upvotes
Jayden C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 45, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - 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 cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
23 upvotes
Madelyn Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Brielle F.
big facts right here
14 upvotes
Leo Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Amelia Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 32, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
7 upvotes
Diane C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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