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Emmett Bailey living

Is Rolla a good place to live?

Longtime lurker here, I'm originally from Pittsburgh and Rent is about $790/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Rolla sits at 532.2 per 100K. With a population of 20,144, Rolla is a small town. Median household income is $42,518, which feels on the lower side for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Anyone in a similar situation? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development.
3 upvotes

11 Replies

willow_walker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Pittsburgh it's solid.
36 upvotes
Sophie Watson
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Meadowbrook area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
mateo_mind
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.

I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Roman H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Margaret R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Chicago it's surprisingly good.
19 upvotes
stllocal2022
great question, following
11 upvotes
Sadie Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
11 upvotes
Roman Mitchell
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Highland area are improving. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Sophie Moore
interesting, hadn't considered that
7 upvotes
Weston
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a chef who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.

Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Jayden Moore
following this thread
0 upvotes
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