Alright, Poverty rate is 18.4%, which is higher than I expected. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
15 upvotes
21 Replies
minneapolis_lily
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Ava Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in West and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Kaylee L.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Jesse A.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Cameron Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Madeline Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Hannah Price
This.
27 upvotes
Samuel Diaz
yep
26 upvotes
born_charlotte26
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 29, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
25 upvotes
Christian J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Chicago it's hit or miss.
24 upvotes
Audrey Bennett
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Jack Flores
I work in education here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is challenging. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Jonathan Brooks
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Sophia Brown
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Downtown area are decent. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
fresno_kaylee
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
10 upvotes
Hudson Jimenez
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Eliana Morales
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Amber A.
following this thread
5 upvotes
Madeline Price
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Levi R.
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Josiah O.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
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