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Hudson Flores best-worst

Best and worst neighborhoods in Lake Hiawatha

Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 2 months ago and Homes are going for about $402,500 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Any advice would be great. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes

9 Replies

Kimberly N.
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Jaxon
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is average.

Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Colton M.
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Jose Lewis
great question, following
28 upvotes
Luca Roberts
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Theresa P.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Ethan F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Ariana Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Matthew S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.

Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
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