Should I move to Land O' Lakes or stay in Minneapolis?
Been meaning to ask this. I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 41,845, Land O' Lakes is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $98,648 in Land O' Lakes. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Anyone in a similar situation?
19 upvotes
21 Replies
nola_adrian
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
40 upvotes
Christian Hughes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Vivian Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Kinsley W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Victoria Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 48, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Highland and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - 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 pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
37 upvotes
Vivian Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Grace Miller
big facts right here
34 upvotes
Nolan
I'm a accountant and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Willow Torres
seconding this
27 upvotes
Ella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
26 upvotes
Claire
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
Kaylee Rodriguez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
19 upvotes
Sarah Ruiz
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
chill_kaylee49
Moved here from New York about 14 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to dating scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
real_hailey24
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Parker Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
7 upvotes
Jack Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Josiah R.
glad someone said it
4 upvotes
Xavier Hill
Used to live on the North side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
4 upvotes
Kennedy Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are improving. 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 high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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