It's a a mid-size city city with about 119K people. Homes are going for about $248,400 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
34 upvotes
19 Replies
Andrew Cook
hard disagree but ok
39 upvotes
Naomi R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
John Cooper
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The dating scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Hudson Phillips
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
angel_chef
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Roman
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Nolan
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much competitive but now it's tough.
34 upvotes
Santiago Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Camila C.
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Michael Allen
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Jayden Collins
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Scarlett Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
David
wish I knew this sooner
20 upvotes
Aurora Scott
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is underrated in most areas.
15 upvotes
Isaac Rodriguez
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
lake_delilah77
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
miami_jayden
Moved here from Chicago about 7 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Sophie A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
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