I've been living in St. Paul, MN for 5 years now and honestly, there's a lot to love. People are genuinely friendly here. Schools in our area are really good. The community here is really tight-knit. If you're thinking about moving here, feel free to ask me anything.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Quinn Morris
preach
40 upvotes
urban_david20
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Brielle R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Sebastian Edwards
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Sofia Ruiz
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
23 upvotes
Cooper R.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
22 upvotes
Bella Chavez
facts
22 upvotes
Luke Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Nolan Morris
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
mountain_sarah97
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
14 upvotes
Zoe Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 45, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.