Sign In Register
Owen Ramos housing

Rent vs buy in St. Louis Park -what makes sense?

Longtime lurker here, Military spouse here. Median household income is $100,250, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,589/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
3 upvotes

6 Replies

Amelia Campbell
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Amelia Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
29 upvotes
Easton
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
Jeremiah T.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is average

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
David Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Allison W.
spot on
9 upvotes
← Back to St. Louis Park Community