Hey folks, Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $599,000 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Diane T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
40 upvotes
Lucas Williams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Minneapolis it's pretty good.
40 upvotes
Victoria Mendoza
lol so true
39 upvotes
Alice Reyes
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Delilah Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
24 upvotes
Aria Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Eliana E.
I've lived in East for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Nathan Carter
spot on
16 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2023
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
15 upvotes
Luna
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
14 upvotes
Mia M.
This.
13 upvotes
Adam Ortiz
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
Jayden Scott
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Brooks C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
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