Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and The median home value here is around $192,700, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $192,700 on average. With a population of 14,066, New Ulm is a small town. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Sprawl everywhere
- Limited dining options
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Madelyn Alvarez
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Tyler M.
lol so true
37 upvotes
Jonathan Cox
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 3 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
35 upvotes
Jackson Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
32 upvotes
Jace Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is decent in most areas.
31 upvotes
Adrian Torres
accurate
30 upvotes
local_grayson89
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Ava Cox
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
miami_audrey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 38, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Dallas, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
25 upvotes
Violet 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 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 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:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches 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 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. Property taxes are high. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
proud_gabriella67
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Pittsburgh it's hit or miss.
14 upvotes
Roman B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 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 1-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Kennedy B.
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Nicholas Moore
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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