Anyone else feel this way? I'm single, late 20s, and With a population of 66,947, Waterloo is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $56,344 in Waterloo. 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. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
29 upvotes
3 Replies
Sophia Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 55, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in South and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
27 upvotes
Miles Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Alexa P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is excellent in most areas.
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