Been meaning to ask this. It's a a small town city with about 15,501 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I wrong here? TIA! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Cooper Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Ryan Reed
I've lived in Uptown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
seattle_austin
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The safety is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Cora P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Sophia Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 35, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
23 upvotes
Amelia Baker
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Bella Mitchell
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Angel Sanchez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Christine T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Minneapolis it's better than expected.
5 upvotes
houston_noah
nah I disagree
5 upvotes
Zoe Wright
bump
2 upvotes
Hazel Howard
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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