OK so I'm retired and Household incomes average around $98,648 in Land O' Lakes. You can expect to pay around $1,923 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
4 upvotes
20 Replies
Isabella
facts
38 upvotes
Aurora C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Bennett Rivera
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Kinsley
Bought a house here in 2015 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
30 upvotes
Arianna Smith
seconding this
28 upvotes
Theodore Reed
I work in healthcare here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is excellent. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Alice A.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Madeline
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Jordan Baker
preach
22 upvotes
Grace M.
I'm a lawyer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Nathan C.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Christopher C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Cameron H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Benjamin Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Jordan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
6 upvotes
Zoey Mitchell
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Easton L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Leonardo Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
4 upvotes
Dennis A.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Eleanor Williams
Moved here from Nashville about 3 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
