Alright, Median household income is $81,276, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $81,276 in Owatonna. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
1 upvotes
19 Replies
Alexander Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Aurora Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Christian H.
100%
33 upvotes
Alexa R.
underrated comment
33 upvotes
Alexander Castillo
seconding this
30 upvotes
Scarlett Castillo
glad someone said it
28 upvotes
Samuel Scott
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Karen P.
Moved here from Dallas about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to healthcare but Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Isabelle Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh 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 Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Autumn Allen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Douglas C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Pittsburgh it's underrated.
22 upvotes
Brielle T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
20 upvotes
Connor James
I'm a lawyer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Eugene P.
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
silas_life
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
17 upvotes
Declan Sanders
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Chicago it's average.
16 upvotes
Emilia B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Reagan Martinez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Springfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Chloe W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
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