Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and You can expect to pay around $1,010 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,010/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Owatonna sits at 104.7 per 100K. With a population of 26,462, Owatonna is a smaller city. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do? Appreciate any input. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Isabella B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Vivian Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 55, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Springfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
proud_gabriella67
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Caleb Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Lakewood and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
34 upvotes
Carter Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Gabriella Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
26 upvotes
Alice Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
23 upvotes
Naomi
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Madelyn Baker
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Aiden R.
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
Leonardo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Isaac H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston 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 West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Julia Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle 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 Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
