Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and Crime rate is something to consider -St. Cloud sits at 436.2 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 69,926 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What do you all think? The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Axel Rogers
hmm interesting perspective
36 upvotes
mountain_levi82
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Oak Park 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Genesis Roberts
I'm a software engineer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Lily Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Henry J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
happy_olivia93
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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