Hello, The median home value here is around $371,600, which seems about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 49,541 people. Crime rate is something to consider -St. Louis Park sits at 179.7 per 100K. Average temperature is around 46--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 49,541, St. Louis Park is a smaller city. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
12 upvotes
28 Replies
Silas Nguyen
Moved here from LA about 15 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to housing market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Leah Nelson
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Willow Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
38 upvotes
Melanie O.
same here
35 upvotes
Reagan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Quinn Anderson
Moved here from Chicago about 3 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Delilah Garcia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
29 upvotes
Dominic
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 32, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
27 upvotes
hunter_walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Adeline
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Nashville it's challenging.
24 upvotes
Angel Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Riley Richardson
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Silas B.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Katherine G.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
22 upvotes
Dominic Lopez
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Cora Hernandez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Thomas R.
spot on
19 upvotes
Riley Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Jameson Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 14 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. 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. North schools are excellent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Sophia Hughes
following this thread
15 upvotes
Nevaeh
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from LA about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
John Harris
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Easton Evans
seconding this
12 upvotes
Elijah Hall
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
11 upvotes
Sofia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is challenging in most areas.
11 upvotes
Skylar Kelly
it depends on the neighborhood
7 upvotes
Victoria
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Quinn M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Dallas it's pretty good.
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