Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $808 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Butte-Silver Bow sits at 454.0 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
0 upvotes
28 Replies
Emily Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
40 upvotes
sacramento_olivia
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Elijah
not my experience at all
39 upvotes
Mateo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
38 upvotes
Robert R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
36 upvotes
Alice Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
jacob_local
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Caroline W.
literally same
32 upvotes
Jace Adams
100%
31 upvotes
Emily Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
27 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Caroline Ramos
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Carter Gomez
spot on
23 upvotes
Hazel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
21 upvotes
Eliana Davis
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
loving_jeremiah78
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
kai_soul
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is excellent in most areas.
18 upvotes
Ezekiel Price
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Paisley Castillo
I work in real estate here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Beverly M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Lily Rivera
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Nathan Ramos
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Roman Rodriguez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
7 upvotes
Aiden Turner
this is the way
6 upvotes
Weston Allen
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is solid
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Sophia Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Shirley A.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
2 upvotes
Asher Smith
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Sunset area are improving. Kids love it here.
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