First post here. Poverty rate is 9.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Brielle H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. average 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 San Francisco, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
40 upvotes
Serenity Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Dominic Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
24 upvotes
Henry B.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Vivian Wilson
Used to live on the North side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
Harper Carter
I've lived in Old Town for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Carol R.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Xavier Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
river_declan96
this is the way
4 upvotes
Debra W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.