With a population of 44,649, Burlington is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Would love some local perspective. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Levi Gray
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Levi Garcia
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Luke Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Hudson
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
37 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
31 upvotes
Elizabeth Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
William Flores
been saying this for years
27 upvotes
Mateo Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jordan Ruiz
100%
19 upvotes
proud_genesis48
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Riverside area are decent. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Liam Cook
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Andrew Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Chloe Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Connor Ward
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
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