Should I move to Starkville or stay in Minneapolis?
Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 18.5%, which is higher than I expected. With a population of 25,611, Starkville is a smaller city. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What would you do?
15 upvotes
6 Replies
Arianna Hughes
yep
36 upvotes
Sofia James
lol so true
36 upvotes
Natalie Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
34 upvotes
Sophia Williams
Moved here from Tampa about 13 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to public transit but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Michael A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Aubrey Price
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
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