Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and Rent is about $1,213/month for a decent place. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Ruby M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
38 upvotes
Nicholas B.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Josiah Turner
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
nashvillemama2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 44, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
28 upvotes
Clara L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Leah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Emmett Long
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
portland_josiah
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Kayden
I've lived in Midtown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The job market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Piper W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Leonardo Garcia
Moved here from Portland about 10 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Ezra Cruz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Austin it's tough.
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