Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Median household income is $65,000, which feels about average for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
4 upvotes
24 Replies
Austin Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
parker_native
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
loving_colton17
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
Nathan Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Brooklyn Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Carter Castillo
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Portland it's decent.
29 upvotes
Lydia Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
28 upvotes
Helen H.
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Dominic Walker
interesting, hadn't considered that
23 upvotes
James K.
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Serenity Foster
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Axel D.
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Nora Turner
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
19 upvotes
Mia C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from LA for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Zoey Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are average. 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
lake_riley16
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
mesawalker2024
glad someone said it
12 upvotes
Arianna
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Aaliyah Parker
great question, following
12 upvotes
Easton Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Genesis Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 30, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Fairview and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. excellent 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
7 upvotes
santiago_mama
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The nightlife is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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