So, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $205,600, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $1,313 for rent here. Household incomes average around $57,500 in Luther. Poverty rate is 4.5%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Autumn M.
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Kai Wright
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
Delilah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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 high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Evelyn N.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Skylar Torres
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Isabelle Thomas
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Hudson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
4 upvotes
Jordan Mitchell
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
John Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Harper Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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