Hi all, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $120,496, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 53,256 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Let me know your thoughts. TIA! Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
2 Replies
Elijah Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Jace Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.