First post here. I'm single, late 20s, and With a population of 26,462, Owatonna is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $234,600 on average. Median household income is $81,276, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes
6 Replies
Sadie Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Houston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Matthew J.
I work in education here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Sarah Sanders
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Nova Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Andrew D.
accurate
17 upvotes
Paisley Myers
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
All Countries
