First post here. Homes are going for about $318,400 on average.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Parker L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is underrated in most areas.
40 upvotes
Eleanor P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 57, moved here 11 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Daniel S.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much manageable but now it's tough.
37 upvotes
Serenity Walker
great question, following
32 upvotes
Joseph Wright
100%
30 upvotes
Marie B.
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Jaxon Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Lily Bennett
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
Ariana Thompson
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Jack W.
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
9 upvotes
Adrian Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
john_heart
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
5 upvotes
miami_ryan
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's hit or miss.
5 upvotes
Addison Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.