Anyone else feel this way? Just moved here 10 months ago and Median household income is $119,566, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 53,453 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. TIA!
11 upvotes
19 Replies
Nathan Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Maverick Scott
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is tough in most areas.
36 upvotes
Nora Morgan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Leo W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
32 upvotes
Nova Cox
underrated comment
30 upvotes
loving_everly78
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Theodore Taylor
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Weston Carter
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
27 upvotes
Emma D.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Peyton Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Maya Martinez
I work in engineering here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Adrian H.
I work in hospitality here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Douglas R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is challenging in most areas.
13 upvotes
Anna Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 24, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Nightlife is limited
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. tough 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
10 upvotes
Henry
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 42, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. improving 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Liam Morris
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
7 upvotes
Cynthia W.
hmm interesting perspective
2 upvotes
Everly Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Savannah Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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