Hey everyone, Military spouse here. It's a a smaller city city with about 44,882 people. Median household income is $64,826, which feels about average for the area. Household incomes average around $64,826 in Mankato. With a population of 44,882, Mankato is a smaller city. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
4 Replies
lillian_soul
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Weston Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 36, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - 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 competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. average 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
21 upvotes
Silas M.
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Xavier Robinson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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