Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 16 months ago and Average temperature is around 74°F, so it's warm year-round. The median home value here is around $248,000, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $67,521, which feels about average for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. 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. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
10 upvotes
6 Replies
Willow Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. 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 Minneapolis, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
39 upvotes
Martha S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
39 upvotes
Parker Turner
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Bennett N.
same here
28 upvotes
Mateo Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Willow Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. improving 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
All Countries
