Hey, Been living here since 2016. You can expect to pay around $1,784 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What are your go-to spots? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
28 upvotes
25 Replies
Gianna
+1
39 upvotes
Adeline Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Nathan Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Vivian Cruz
preach
36 upvotes
sunny_miles79
spot on
34 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Minneapolis it's average.
33 upvotes
Savannah M.
big facts right here
26 upvotes
Emma Long
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Wesley Morris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Hazel Gonzalez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
24 upvotes
Jonathan C.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Valentina K.
Came here for family and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The weather is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Stella
bump
16 upvotes
Mason Y.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are better than expected. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Nathan Smith
Used to live on the West side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
sunny_everly88
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Pamela W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Christian Harris
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in South area are average. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Adam C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
8 upvotes
Violet Turner
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Vietnamese places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
7 upvotes
Rylee
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
6 upvotes
Waylon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
4 upvotes
Melanie White
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Caleb K.
great question, following
1 upvotes
Daniel Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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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