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Austin Lewis
living
Minnetonka quality of life -am I missing something?
Hey, I'm a 55-year-old lawyer and I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Xavier Allen
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
tampagirl2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts 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 pretty good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts 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 pretty good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Theodore Smith
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
31 upvotes
Bruce T.
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
Evelyn Evans
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Silas T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Leah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. 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 rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. 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 rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Oliver P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
12 upvotes
Colton Price
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Robert Alvarez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Jacob Murphy
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Anna F.
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes