Longtime lurker here, I'm a 37-year-old teacher and It's a a small town city with about 1,247 people. You can expect to pay around $725 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Adeline Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. challenging 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 Atlanta, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
40 upvotes
Arianna Brown
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Ezra Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Nevaeh
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Carter Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
24 upvotes
John H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Emma James
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
16 upvotes
Dominic Davis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is decent in most areas.
13 upvotes
Hannah G.
as a local I can confirm
12 upvotes
Autumn S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Melanie S.
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Ella Hughes
Moved here last year, no regrets.
4 upvotes
Oliver Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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