Hi all, I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 32,310 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
2 upvotes
27 Replies
Genesis Flores
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
oaklandnative2020
100%
36 upvotes
sadie_heart
This.
34 upvotes
Wyatt Kim
100%
33 upvotes
Donald L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Delilah G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Declan T.
yep
29 upvotes
Sophia Peterson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
27 upvotes
Ella Cook
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Mia M.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The food scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Asher Clark
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is improving in most areas.
26 upvotes
Zoe W.
100%
26 upvotes
Hailey Harris
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Camila Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 42, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
21 upvotes
Daniel Roberts
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's hit or miss.
17 upvotes
Ezekiel
honestly same experience here
17 upvotes
Bella Anderson
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
17 upvotes
Adam Nguyen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Xavier R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Naomi Watson
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Roman Anderson
I work in finance here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Allison Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
9 upvotes
olivia_papa
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Jean C.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Everly E.
preach
4 upvotes
Austin W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
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