Hey folks, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $81,604, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 22,784 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
madeline_life
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Reagan Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 26, moved here 1 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
37 upvotes
Jackson R.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
William M.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
33 upvotes
John Wood
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Lauren P.
I work in engineering here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is improving. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
milwaukee_julia
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Springfield area are decent. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Serenity R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Diego about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Joseph G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
11 upvotes
Aiden M.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Meadowbrook area are tough. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
chicagoheart2021
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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