Alright, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,152/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Prosper sits at 56.4 per 100K. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
26 upvotes
29 Replies
Hudson White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
40 upvotes
Chloe Long
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Connor Hall
Moved here from Portland about 13 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Savannah Scott
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
32 upvotes
Angel R.
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
Hannah A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Skylar Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
30 upvotes
Elizabeth Hall
+1
28 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
lol so true
27 upvotes
Isla Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Ruby Price
I've lived in South for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- The job market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Luna Cooper
literally same
22 upvotes
Aubrey Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
21 upvotes
natalie_vibes
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
19 upvotes
Reagan Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
18 upvotes
Greyson Martin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
orlandoguy2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Houston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Roy J.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Russell W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from Houston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Stephanie M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
oaklandgirl2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Emilia Gutierrez
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
Cooper Lewis
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Natalie Morris
it depends on the neighborhood
5 upvotes
Julian Smith
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Serenity Brooks
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Allison H.
I've lived in Old Town for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Ian T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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