Hey folks, It's a a small town city with about 14,165 people. Would love some local perspective.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Lily K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is excellent in most areas.
40 upvotes
Lily
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Baltimore it's surprisingly good.
40 upvotes
Luna Wright
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Hannah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 31, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
34 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
34 upvotes
Eliana R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Lucas
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Jeremiah H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
24 upvotes
Adeline Martin
great question, following
23 upvotes
Brooklyn Ruiz
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Vietnamese places. the quality of life is solid.
20 upvotes
atlwalker2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Lydia Jimenez
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Aiden White
Came here for work and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor recreation is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..