Hello, It's a a small town city with about 12,960 people. Poverty rate is 8.8%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Lily P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
39 upvotes
Cora R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Arianna Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Jacob
This.
35 upvotes
Sofia Mitchell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is average in most areas.
34 upvotes
Stella Lopez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Jayden
thanks for sharing
15 upvotes
Madeline P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 28, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
5 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
