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Ethan Long living

What I wish I knew before living in Shoreview

Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. With a population of 26,724, Shoreview is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $365,100, which seems about average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
27 upvotes

13 Replies

Theodore T.
bump
36 upvotes
William L.
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Ethan
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's average.
30 upvotes
Walter J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value housing market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely underrated and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.

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.
18 upvotes
Serenity B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.

I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.

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

Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Hannah Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.

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
Anthony M.
I've lived in East 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 Boston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is solid

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Eleanor Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's underrated for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Isaac C.
glad someone said it
7 upvotes
Victoria R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.

Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Donna G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 52, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
3 upvotes
Nevaeh C.
spot on
3 upvotes
Jeremiah Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
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