Hello, I'm retired and It's a a smaller city city with about 49,080 people. Median household income is $95,102, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. What are your go-to spots? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
24 upvotes
13 Replies
Olivia H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's challenging.
38 upvotes
Walter T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Tampa about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Angel
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Ruby Brown
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Adeline
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Carter P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Sophia Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Mason G.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Kai R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Samuel Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 29, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
8 upvotes
Ethan W.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
7 upvotes
loving_wesley74
I've lived in North for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
cool_katherine65
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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