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David K.
qa
Best restaurants in Oakdale?
First post here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Samuel
Moved here from Nashville about 13 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Mason Peterson
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Connor H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are challenging. 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are challenging. 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Leonardo Kelly
Came here for family and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Willow Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Jordan J.
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Eli Sanders
accurate
21 upvotes
phoenix_elena
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
18 upvotes
brooks_chef
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Luke Bailey
bump
12 upvotes
Autumn Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
9 upvotes