Hello, I'm single, late 30s, and Rent is about $1,439/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $333,300 on average. It's a a small town city with about 18,808 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Cimarron Hills sits at 458.3 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Naomi Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
36 upvotes
Michael Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
bella_mama
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Daniel G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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
Rylee H.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
27 upvotes
Peyton Foster
underrated comment
14 upvotes
eva_mind
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
14 upvotes
Austin Murphy
lol so true
14 upvotes
Mason D.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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