Hey folks, Born and raised here. With a population of 21,639, St. John is a small town. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Noah Lewis
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor recreation is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Lori B.
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
Maverick R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 12 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
David Price
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Robert Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
oakland_eleanor
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Carson Bennett
literally same
17 upvotes
James Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Jessica M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Julia T.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Everly M.
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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