Hi all, Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $124,000 on average. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 20.7%, which is higher than I expected. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development.
7 upvotes
4 Replies
Jack Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Reagan Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Adrian Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in South and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
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