First post here. Military spouse here. With a population of 308K, St. Paul is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 308K people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
45 upvotes
10 Replies
kcmama2020
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
Ariana Foster
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Mia Sanchez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Noah Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Nathan S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Ethan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Sarah 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 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 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. Property taxes are high. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Brooklyn Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
16 upvotes
Carter Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 15 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes 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 tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Gabriel W.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Midtown area are tough. Kids love it here.
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