Hey folks, We have two kids and Homes are going for about $254,400 on average. Rent is about $928/month for a decent place. With a population of 47,922, Minot is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 43--F, so bundle up in winter. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
23 upvotes
28 Replies
nola_camila
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Sharon T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 12 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Oak Park schools are hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Charlotte Kelly
I'm a software engineer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Zoey S.
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Jerry C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
34 upvotes
Brandon E.
I work in legal here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Janice E.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's improving.
32 upvotes
Hazel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Chicago about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Ian Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Bella
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Ian
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
James N.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
violet_runner
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Kinsley Long
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
24 upvotes
Chloe K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Lily Edwards
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. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Luca Phillips
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Alexander Clark
hmm interesting perspective
20 upvotes
Isabella Morgan
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Nora Gray
This.
15 upvotes
Carson Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 8 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
14 upvotes
Eugene B.
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Ryan Scott
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Easton S.
literally same
12 upvotes
Gabriel C.
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Ezekiel Garcia
good to know, thanks
3 upvotes
Levi Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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