Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 11,046 people. Rent is about $1,545/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Peyton H.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
seattle_austin
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
zoe_heart
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
34 upvotes
Julian M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Clara C.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Hazel P.
+1
29 upvotes
Evan
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is excellent in most areas.
28 upvotes
indy_andrew
bump
23 upvotes
Gabriel A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Old Town and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - 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 wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Dallas, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
19 upvotes
Wyatt S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Clara Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Dominic Wood
wish I knew this sooner
10 upvotes
Nora J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's average.
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