Random thought, I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $526,400, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to.
6 upvotes
9 Replies
Eli Murphy
it depends on the neighborhood
27 upvotes
Ryan Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Isabelle James
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Zoey Reyes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
mountain_ezekiel99
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
19 upvotes
Jace Hughes
seconding this
14 upvotes
Addison W.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Dominic Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 54, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
7 upvotes
Kayden R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
