Anyone else feel this way? I've been here for 4 years and Poverty rate is 21.6%, which is higher than I expected. The median home value here is around $136,900, which is actually reasonable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Does this match your experience?
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila Kim
Used to live on the North side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
38 upvotes
Kaylee R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
38 upvotes
Jack R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
31 upvotes
Mason Kim
not my experience at all
27 upvotes
Melanie Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from LA about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Naomi
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Nova Hill
I've lived in The Heights for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
chicagokid2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 51, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
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 a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
20 upvotes
Evan Flores
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Roman Ortiz
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Jacob Walker
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
15 upvotes
Lucas W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Ruth J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Everly Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
7 upvotes
Leah
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
All Countries
