With a population of 27,491, Marshalltown is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a smaller city city with about 27,491 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Good schools
- Close to nature
- Lots of new development
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Not very walkable
- Far from major airports
What do you all think? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
19 upvotes
29 Replies
Adeline Hill
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
39 upvotes
Addison Jones
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
39 upvotes
Katherine
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Denver it's excellent.
39 upvotes
Aubrey Nguyen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Seattle it's excellent.
36 upvotes
Quinn Jones
following this thread
35 upvotes
Connor Hernandez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is challenging in most areas.
34 upvotes
Madelyn Jimenez
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
33 upvotes
Isaiah
Moved here from San Diego about 10 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to housing market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Ethan
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Peyton
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Angel Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Bennett Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 29, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
26 upvotes
James Rogers
good to know, thanks
26 upvotes
Judith R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Madeline Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Gabriel Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Adrian J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Arianna Garcia
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Jonathan Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 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 South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Gabriella A.
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
Aaron Hughes
Totally agree!
11 upvotes
Luke Reed
spot on
8 upvotes
Jeremy K.
bump
5 upvotes
Andrew D.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Ava Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. 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. Uptown schools are hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Easton Reyes
100%
3 upvotes
Joshua J.
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Caleb Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 31, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Boston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
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