Been meaning to ask this. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. Median household income is $54,941, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $188,700 on average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
26 upvotes
7 Replies
Carson Bennett
thanks for sharing
36 upvotes
Hailey Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Andrew Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Shirley W.
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The walkability scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Isla Flores
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Kaylee Ramos
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Nicholas G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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