Hi all, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 7.7%, which is concerning. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes
18 Replies
Hailey Hernandez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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
Zachary E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
38 upvotes
Kaylee Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 36, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Miami, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
36 upvotes
Ian Patel
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Carson Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are surprisingly good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Ian G.
following this thread
26 upvotes
Hunter Miller
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Valentina Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta 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 Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
oaklandrider2024
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Arianna Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Miami it's solid.
21 upvotes
Emilia J.
glad someone said it
16 upvotes
Isaac G.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Paisley Hernandez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Alice M.
I work in construction here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
All Countries
