Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $825/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
Adrian Morales
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Bennett Perez
preach
34 upvotes
Adam W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 25, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
18 upvotes
Eleanor Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. decent 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
13 upvotes
Noah Miller
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
minneapolisliving2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family 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:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Alexa Mendoza
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The job market is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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