Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
10 Replies
Brooks Ortiz
spot on
36 upvotes
Chloe Ross
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Greyson Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
25 upvotes
Declan White
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
mountain_jonathan17
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 10 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are improving. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Reagan Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Greyson King
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
Ellie Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
John Torres
I've lived in Downtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Piper Ramirez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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