Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and With a population of 102K, Chico is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $1,442/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $455,300 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Does this match your experience? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
29 upvotes
7 Replies
Ariana Diaz
I've lived in Springfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Ethan H.
I've lived in Springfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Nevaeh Ruiz
Moved here last year, no regrets.
20 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
yep
12 upvotes
Alexander
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Daniel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York 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 Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
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