Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and It's a a small town city with about 12,760 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Branson sits at 624.6 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I overthinking this?
3 upvotes
3 Replies
Hailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
33 upvotes
atlrider2020
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Kinsley
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
All Countries
