First post here. Born and raised here. It's a a small town city with about 24,125 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development.
8 upvotes
3 Replies
Silas Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Oliver James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Mason Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
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