Hey, I'm originally from Boston and You can expect to pay around $1,138 for rent here. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Natalie Wood
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Miles C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Mateo Cruz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Edward M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
27 upvotes
Genesis Wilson
as a local I can confirm
26 upvotes
Ethan
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Teresa J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
15 upvotes
James Y.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are surprisingly good. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Carson Rivera
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Bella Mitchell
nah I disagree
11 upvotes
Michael Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Levi White
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Meadowbrook area are decent. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Caleb P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
tampaguy2025
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
4 upvotes
Luna Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 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 4-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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