First post here. I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $129,130, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. You can expect to pay around $1,877 for rent here. Poverty rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Low taxes
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Limited dining options
- High property taxes
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Poor road conditions
What do you all think? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
58 upvotes
25 Replies
Adam Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
39 upvotes
Alice A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 45, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
37 upvotes
Nora Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Wesley Ramos
seconding this
36 upvotes
Maya R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Charlotte it's hit or miss.
36 upvotes
Nora Price
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Elizabeth Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Old Town and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
32 upvotes
wild_rylee67
I work in healthcare here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Anna Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Ellie Miller
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Chloe Jimenez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is improving in most areas.
30 upvotes
Easton
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
26 upvotes
Avery Morris
preach
26 upvotes
Owen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 2 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
25 upvotes
Ellie Rodriguez
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
23 upvotes
Elijah Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Carson Nguyen
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Springfield area are excellent. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Dylan Ortiz
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Cameron H.
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Genesis
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Madelyn Baker
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in East area are challenging. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
lasoul2022
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Sophia R.
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
Dominic A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Oak Park schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Victoria C.
Moved here from Dallas about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
All Countries
