I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $101,500 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Thanks in advance! Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Kayden
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
Thomas Lewis
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Joyce C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Madelyn H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Boston 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 Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Abigail M.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Isabella Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
20 upvotes
Bobby R.
Moved here from Portland about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Theodore Jones
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Miami it's tough.
13 upvotes
Piper N.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's hit or miss.
9 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 31, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
8 upvotes
John C.
I've lived in West for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The nightlife scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
desert_silas60
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Pine Hills area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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