Should I move to Middletown or stay in Minneapolis?
Household incomes average around $54,985 in Middletown. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
20 upvotes
28 Replies
Wesley Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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 established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Luke Campbell
I've lived in Uptown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Alice R.
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Ezra Murphy
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Nevaeh Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
34 upvotes
Serenity
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Jayden
accurate
33 upvotes
Scarlett L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Alice Sanchez
This.
31 upvotes
oliver_kid
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great sushi places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Kennedy T.
I've lived in North for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Lauren K.
lol so true
31 upvotes
Nora G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. marketing 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Old Town schools are solid. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
henry_dude
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The food scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Skylar C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Connor Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
22 upvotes
Adam Mitchell
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Isla Robinson
it depends on the neighborhood
18 upvotes
hannah_heart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Seattle 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 West. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Noah C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. 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.
16 upvotes
Amelia W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Aaron Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
15 upvotes
Carter Harris
Moved here from Denver about 15 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to public transit but Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Delilah
Saving this thread
13 upvotes
Elizabeth Ortiz
seconding this
12 upvotes
Claire Martin
great question, following
9 upvotes
Natalie White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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