Been meaning to ask this. I'm single, late 20s, and Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Greyson W.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The cultural scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Isabelle K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Dominic Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Kennedy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Elena Chavez
good to know, thanks
27 upvotes
Luna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Abigail Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Nancy L.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Isaac
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Maya Roberts
preach
16 upvotes
columbussoul2022
Moved here from San Diego about 3 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Carter P.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Robert Reed
hmm interesting perspective
3 upvotes
Everly Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
All Countries
