Hello, It's a a smaller city city with about 69,926 people. Average temperature is around 43--F, so bundle up in winter. With a population of 69,926, St. Cloud is a smaller city. Rent is about $1,005/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Is this normal for St. Cloud? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to.
17 upvotes
19 Replies
Logan Phillips
I've lived in The Heights for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Colton Kelly
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Daniel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh 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 Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
loving_henry86
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Old Town and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
35 upvotes
Wesley White
I work in construction here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Leah Foster
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
31 upvotes
Sophia Martin
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
nyclover2022
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much stable but now it's hit or miss.
25 upvotes
John
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Leonardo Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
tucson_jose
haha yep pretty much
15 upvotes
Harper Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Genesis Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are better than expected. 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 community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Clara Reed
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Connor Thompson
100%
9 upvotes
Rebecca M.
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Allison M.
hmm interesting perspective
6 upvotes
Addison M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Jaxon Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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