Hey everyone, I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? Appreciate any input. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Everly King
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Miles Hill
This.
33 upvotes
James W.
spot on
31 upvotes
Aaron Ward
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Joseph Lee
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Emilia Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Luca E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Aria Campbell
I've lived in Sunset for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The pet-friendliness scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
avery_heart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from New York 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 Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
sunny_lucy7
Used to live on the East side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Eugene R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
15 upvotes
Brielle
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
indy_leo
yep
5 upvotes
Madelyn G.
+1
3 upvotes
peyton_rider
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Springfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Atlanta, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.