All Countries
Natalie T.
housing
How much do you pay for rent in St. Paul?
Been living here since 2015. What are your go-to spots? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
23 upvotes
31 Replies
Maya Scott
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Clara Reed
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Hudson B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Justin O.
I've lived in The Heights for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Angel Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
33 upvotes
Ella W.
Moved here from Charlotte about 14 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to weather but Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
mesaguy2022
spot on
29 upvotes
Paisley James
I'm a chef and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Ezra C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
26 upvotes
cooper_kid
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's decent.
26 upvotes
Roman H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Mackenzie Nelson
yep
22 upvotes
Carson
I work in hospitality here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is decent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Maverick
I'm a project manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Leo Cooper
I've lived in Lakewood for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Zoey Jones
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Asian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
19 upvotes
Walter R.
This.
14 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
jax_greyson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Greenfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Greenfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 San Diego, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
13 upvotes
Adeline A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Cora Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Emilia Hernandez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is average in most areas.
10 upvotes
Maya
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes
Samuel H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Waylon Jackson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2023
100%
5 upvotes
Lily Edwards
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
5 upvotes
Luca M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Wesley Ross
seconding this
2 upvotes
josiah_vibes
underrated comment
2 upvotes
Emilia Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
0 upvotes