I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 25,497, Stevens Point is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $189,700 on average. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $56,218, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Stevens Point sits at 210.8 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
20 upvotes
14 Replies
Declan Cooper
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
Anna
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
27 upvotes
jaxdude2023
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Cora Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
phoenixlocal2022
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Mia C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Wesley L.
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
orlandopapa2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Phoenix it's improving.
12 upvotes
Landon Carter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Piper Jackson
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
11 upvotes
Zoe W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
rylee_mama
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Adeline Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 30, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
6 upvotes
Alexander Wright
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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