Longtime lurker here, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 5.6%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here? Appreciate any input. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Nolan Flores
I've lived in Fairview for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Hunter Hughes
+1
36 upvotes
Christopher W.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Allison Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
34 upvotes
Willow Thomas
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Jaxon Clark
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
27 upvotes
Lily Howard
spot on
24 upvotes
Serenity Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Brooks Reed
I'm a nurse and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Sofia Murphy
+1
13 upvotes
local_easton22
underrated comment
11 upvotes
Nora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Lydia Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
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