First post here. Household incomes average around $50,426 in New Brighton. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Aria Thompson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Julian Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Landon King
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Vincent G.
Bought a house here in 2022 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
22 upvotes
Madelyn
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are improving. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
proud_evan83
100%
18 upvotes
Robert Clark
Moved here last year, no regrets.
10 upvotes
Ellie L.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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