Hey everyone, I'm a 50-year-old electrician and With a population of 5,469, Spirit Lake is a small town. Is this normal for Spirit Lake?
13 upvotes
9 Replies
Jacob King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Nova Edwards
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Riley Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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 dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Grace Green
Came here for school and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Gabriel C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
20 upvotes
Mackenzie Mitchell
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
17 upvotes
Jaxon Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
13 upvotes
Hazel Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing 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 average - 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. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
8 upvotes
Jayden T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Boston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
All Countries
