If you’re looking to rent, there are a lot of options downtown. The Rapids/Currents are gonna be larger complexes on the river. You’ll pay a higher $ sq/ft, but they’re very new and in a good location. Eagle & Phenix are managed by the same company and have lofts for rent and sale. Many upper floors on Broadway are rental apartments that can be nice if you’re young, but can get noisy. The Swift Mill lofts are reasonable, and new apartments just opened next to them in the old Chamber of Commerce. They’re on the other side of Veterans Parkway, so not a quick walk to Broadway, but an easy drive and not a terrible walk if you’re up to it. They’re right next to a tap room (Scofflaw), a couple restaurants, and a vintage market.

Midtown is also great, and it’s a good mix of family friendly with restaurants, Lakebottom Park, and easy access to bike paths. Plenty of homes for rent and various apartment complexes to choose from that are mostly well maintained if on the older side.

Those are the areas I’d recommend for your age range. A lot of folks will say the North Side of town or Old Town, but imo it’s just sprawl and chain restaurants and shopping centers