Curious what people think. Been living here since 2006. Rent is about $787/month for a decent place. With a population of 13,373, Sault Ste. Marie is a small town. Average temperature is around 42--F, so bundle up in winter. Crime rate is something to consider -Sault Ste. Marie sits at 244.8 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Ian Smith
not my experience at all
36 upvotes
Evan K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
John W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Connor
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
34 upvotes
audrey_local
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Eliana Baker
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great sushi places. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
rylee_mama
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to LA it's solid.
27 upvotes
Nicholas James
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Adrian P.
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 outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Jace Perez
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Ruby Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Everett Collins
been saying this for years
8 upvotes
Elijah R.
following this thread
7 upvotes
Ellie R.
I've lived in South for about 11 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 Houston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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