Been living here since 2016. Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 45,002, Shakopee is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. TIA! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
Connor M.
spot on
39 upvotes
Cooper Cooper
I've lived in Highland for about 2 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 Raleigh, 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
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
minneapolisgirl2023
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Highland area are solid. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Angel L.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Katherine G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 40, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
35 upvotes
Ryan R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
sd_leo
Came here for family and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Adam Taylor
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Sophia M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
28 upvotes
Ian Wright
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
25 upvotes
Evan Lopez
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
24 upvotes
Jace Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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:**
government is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Delilah H.
accurate
24 upvotes
Jackson J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Joseph
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's solid.
21 upvotes
Ezekiel Watson
not my experience at all
21 upvotes
Lillian Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Robert R.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Leo Watson
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much competitive but now it's tough.
10 upvotes
Carter
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Audrey
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Silas Williams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Madeline Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Austin it's pretty good.
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