Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $60,624, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 9.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $911/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $911 for rent here. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Close to nature
- Strong sense of community
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Lack of diversity
- Limited cultural events
Anyone in a similar situation? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
28 upvotes
23 Replies
Naomi Allen
couldn't agree more
36 upvotes
Charlotte Murphy
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
lucy_mind
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
35 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
100%
35 upvotes
Adrian Cruz
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
real_ezekiel33
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Minneapolis it's average.
32 upvotes
Jace Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
32 upvotes
Dylan Patel
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
cincy_nicholas
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Hunter Rodriguez
Bought a house here in 2019 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
Ian Patel
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in North area are challenging. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Cora Anderson
lol so true
21 upvotes
Christian Phillips
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Maya
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
17 upvotes
Sebastian Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Grayson Jackson
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Ella G.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Maple Ridge area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Ella Long
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The walkability is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Kathryn W.
I've lived in Midtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Miles Long
I've lived in North for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Claire Anderson
I've lived in Uptown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Jonathan Alvarez
I've lived in Greenfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Nora Mendoza
I've lived in Downtown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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