My partner and I are Crime rate is something to consider -Sturgis sits at 200.5 per 100K. Poverty rate is 6.6%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. What are your go-to spots? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
David Johnson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Joseph Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 8 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Old Town schools are pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Carter
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Adrian King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 56, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Highland and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
32 upvotes
Elizabeth Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
29 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
retail 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are pretty good. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Nevaeh
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Kaylee Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
18 upvotes
Caleb B.
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
Mackenzie Rodriguez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Ava
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Avery M.
same here
3 upvotes
William M.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much wild but now it's average.
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