First post here. Rent is about $795/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I wrong here?
2 upvotes
22 Replies
Emily L.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Paisley Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Ezekiel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Piper Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Amanda W.
it depends on the neighborhood
28 upvotes
Mia Sanchez
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
Aubrey Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
minneapolis_asher
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
houston_eva
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
21 upvotes
Allison W.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Lydia Baker
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great craft beer places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
15 upvotes
Ruby Myers
seconding this
11 upvotes
Brielle Flores
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Victoria Moore
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Luna Allen
following this thread
7 upvotes
Hailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 growing. 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.
5 upvotes
Camila Jimenez
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
4 upvotes
real_isaac91
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Olivia Jones
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
1 upvotes
Brooklyn
underrated comment
1 upvotes
Rylee Murphy
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
0 upvotes
Jameson Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are challenging. 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. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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