Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Levi
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Grayson
big facts right here
39 upvotes
Nathan W.
not my experience at all
37 upvotes
tulsarider2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Long
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
21 upvotes
Stella Howard
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Joseph Smith
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Springfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Henry Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Audrey Price
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's improving.
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