Hi all, Crime rate is something to consider — Minneapolis sits at 925.7 per 100K. Rent is about $1,329/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Is this normal for Minneapolis? Thanks! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Austin
underrated comment
37 upvotes
denver_isabelle
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Sadie Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Isaiah P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. 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 public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Autumn
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
34 upvotes
born_emily79
I work in education here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is average. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Bennett Jackson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Lucy L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Benjamin Phillips
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
atl_grace
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
17 upvotes
Mark A.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Sarah G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Benjamin Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Emma Richardson
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Savannah Sanchez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.