Hi all, Median household income is $73,627, which feels about average for the area. Household incomes average around $73,627 in Spirit Lake. Crime rate is something to consider -Spirit Lake sits at 588.6 per 100K. With a population of 5,469, Spirit Lake is a small town. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Madelyn Ramos
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
39 upvotes
Chloe S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Baltimore about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Matthew Clark
lol so true
37 upvotes
Chloe Wright
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Delilah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Jonathan
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Alice Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Audrey Baker
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Zoey Nelson
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
Jaxon Cox
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
12 upvotes
Autumn Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Waylon
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Logan Wright
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Old Town area are challenging. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Aubrey
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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