Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $73,627 in Spirit Lake. You can expect to pay around $885 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 5,469 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thanks in advance! Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
3 upvotes
3 Replies
Eva Foster
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
8 upvotes
Zoe Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
5 upvotes
Sophia Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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