Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. It's a a smaller city city with about 31,599 people. Poverty rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $137,995, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thanks in advance! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
30 Replies
Isaiah Wright
seconding this
40 upvotes
sunny_nicholas44
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Connor C.
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Xavier Jones
this is the way
39 upvotes
Joseph Torres
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
39 upvotes
Valentina E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 57, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
38 upvotes
Brooklyn
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.
38 upvotes
Isaac Sanders
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Parker
lol so true
36 upvotes
William A.
Came here for family and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Sebastian Castillo
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much developing but now it's tough.
34 upvotes
Wyatt J.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Pine Hills area are tough. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Brielle Rogers
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Chloe Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 11 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. North schools are surprisingly good. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Madeline Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Genesis Myers
honestly same experience here
28 upvotes
Wesley Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Adeline Morris
accurate
27 upvotes
Jean C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
26 upvotes
Jacob Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Jameson Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Mia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in The Heights and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
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. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. decent 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
15 upvotes
Ian B.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it exceeded my expectations.
15 upvotes
Waylon Watson
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
Isabella
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Cedar Grove area are challenging. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Lillian R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Amelia Moore
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
stlpapa2020
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Sofia D.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Waylon Hernandez
I'm a accountant and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
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