Hi all, I'm a 39-year-old teacher and You can expect to pay around $1,696 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? Thanks!
22 upvotes
15 Replies
Samuel Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 40, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
40 upvotes
stl_lillian
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Italian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
37 upvotes
desert_ian68
Bought a house here in 2018 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
Sebastian Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Jayden W.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Eli C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
William Peterson
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
21 upvotes
Natalie Kim
preach
20 upvotes
Nevaeh
not my experience at all
16 upvotes
Everett
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Olivia Jones
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
sunny_kinsley91
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
Declan P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Chicago about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Audrey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Emilia Collins
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
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